Some of the schools where I am applying ask for an educational philosophy statement. "The applicant is asked to present a narrative statement regarding his philosophy of education as it relates to his teaching area(s), personal goals in his chosen profession, and his reason for applying to [this] school corporation."
I worked hard on this and wanted to share it with you. Please forgive any formatting problems. It's hard to transfer word documents to the board without running into some.
Teaching is one of the most powerful of unsung professions. In school, we learn how to work and live within a community. We form expectations of our lives to come and decide what roles we want to take on in adulthood. Teachers play a significant part in shaping their students’ experiences. I teach because I want to change the world. Change implies a dissatisfaction with the way things are. It seems to me that children are barraged and manipulated to serve the desires of an overly materialistic society. I would free them from that. Through my work as a teacher, I would give my students the tools they need to find facts, to make wise decisions, and to assert themselves. I choose to enable my students rather than insist upon conformity. I guide, I lead, but my ultimate goal remains to let my students soar free. I measure my success by the ability of my students to affect the world around them. My special interest areas, science and writing, sustain my need for personal growth and empower my students. Studying science engages students in the world immediately, and provides significant context for learning skills. It imparts the values of integrity, persistence, and thinking through consequences. Writing forms the base of communication in our society. Students must learn to write well to dialogue with their world. Clear communication of ideas influences others and demonstrates what students have learned. Writing skills are the most powerful tools I can give my students to make a difference in their world. Being a writer myself enables me to teach the subject from an insider’s point of view and connect my students with audiences outside the traditional school setting. Although they have great potential to shape the future of their generation, the gifted and talented are often overlooked by a push to leave no children behind. Their achievements meet or surpass grade-level expectations, so their nurture tends to be neglected. In my classroom, I would find ways to empower these students to participate more fully in their communities. Instead of letting their gifts wither or be turned toward mischief, my students would learn how to wield their ablities for the good of their world. In order to achieve the greatest good, my instructional methods must focus on both meeting individual needs and fostering a sense of community. Differentiation in a variety of areas helps accomplish this goal, as does arranging cooperative learning experiences. Also, I prefer to present material as it pertains to real world situations, giving the students intrinsic motivation and opportunities to learn from and with each other. When discipline becomes necessary, I remember that it is my goal to teach appropriate behavior rather than focus on punishment. This attitude keeps my expectations high but achievable. Mistakes can be overcome and transformed into learning experiences. By teaching at this school, I shall contribute positively to a community that is important to me. There is no greater work I could hope to achieve.
Teaching is one of the most powerful of unsung professions. In school, we learn how to work and live within a community. We form expectations of our lives to come and decide what roles we want to take on in adulthood. Teachers play a significant part in shaping their students’ experiences. I teach because I want to change the world. Change implies a dissatisfaction with the way things are. It seems to me that children are barraged and manipulated to serve the desires of an overly materialistic society. I would free them from that. Through my work as a teacher, I would give my students the tools they need to find facts, to make wise decisions, and to assert themselves. I choose to enable my students rather than insist upon conformity. I guide, I lead, but my ultimate goal remains to let my students soar free. I measure my success by the ability of my students to affect the world around them. My special interest areas, science and writing, sustain my need for personal growth and empower my students. Studying science engages students in the world immediately, and provides significant context for learning skills. It imparts the values of integrity, persistence, and thinking through consequences. Writing forms the base of communication in our society. Students must learn to write well to dialogue with their world. Clear communication of ideas influences others and demonstrates what students have learned. Writing skills are the most powerful tools I can give my students to make a difference in their world. Being a writer myself enables me to teach the subject from an insider’s point of view and connect my students with audiences outside the traditional school setting. Although they have great potential to shape the future of their generation, the gifted and talented are often overlooked by a push to leave no children behind. Their achievements meet or surpass grade-level expectations, so their nurture tends to be neglected. In my classroom, I would find ways to empower these students to participate more fully in their communities. Instead of letting their gifts wither or be turned toward mischief, my students would learn how to wield their ablities for the good of their world. In order to achieve the greatest good, my instructional methods must focus on both meeting individual needs and fostering a sense of community. Differentiation in a variety of areas helps accomplish this goal, as does arranging cooperative learning experiences. Also, I prefer to present material as it pertains to real world situations, giving the students intrinsic motivation and opportunities to learn from and with each other. When discipline becomes necessary, I remember that it is my goal to teach appropriate behavior rather than focus on punishment. This attitude keeps my expectations high but achievable. Mistakes can be overcome and transformed into learning experiences. By teaching at this school, I shall contribute positively to a community that is important to me. There is no greater work I could hope to achieve.
Teaching is one of the most powerful of unsung professions. In school, we learn how to work and live within a community. We form expectations of our lives to come and decide what roles we want to take on in adulthood. Teachers play a significant part in shaping their students’ experiences. I teach because I want to change the world. Change implies a dissatisfaction with the way things are. It seems to me that children are barraged and manipulated to serve the desires of an overly materialistic society. I would free them from that. Through my work as a teacher, I would give my students the tools they need to find facts, to make wise decisions, and to assert themselves. I choose to enable my students rather than insist upon conformity. I guide, I lead, but my ultimate goal remains to let my students soar free. I measure my success by the ability of my students to affect the world around them. My special interest areas, science and writing, sustain my need for personal growth and empower my students. Studying science engages students in the world immediately, and provides significant context for learning skills. It imparts the values of integrity, persistence, and thinking through consequences. Writing forms the base of communication in our society. Students must learn to write well to dialogue with their world. Clear communication of ideas influences others and demonstrates what students have learned. Writing skills are the most powerful tools I can give my students to make a difference in their world. Being a writer myself enables me to teach the subject from an insider’s point of view and connect my students with audiences outside the traditional school setting. Although they have great potential to shape the future of their generation, the gifted and talented are often overlooked by a push to leave no children behind. Their achievements meet or surpass grade-level expectations, so their nurture tends to be neglected. In my classroom, I would find ways to empower these students to participate more fully in their communities. Instead of letting their gifts wither or be turned toward mischief, my students would learn how to wield their ablities for the good of their world. In order to achieve the greatest good, my instructional methods must focus on both meeting individual needs and fostering a sense of community. Differentiation in a variety of areas helps accomplish this goal, as does arranging cooperative learning experiences. Also, I prefer to present material as it pertains to real world situations, giving the students intrinsic motivation and opportunities to learn from and with each other. When discipline becomes necessary, I remember that it is my goal to teach appropriate behavior rather than focus on punishment. This attitude keeps my expectations high but achievable. Mistakes can be overcome and transformed into learning experiences. By teaching at this school, I shall contribute positively to a community that is important to me. There is no greater work I could hope to achieve.
Posted by Pixie (Member # 4043) on :
"Teaching is one of the most powerful of unsung professions. In school, we learn how to work and live within a community. We form expectations of our lives to come and decide what roles we want to take on in adulthood. Teachers play a significant part in shaping their students’ experiences. I teach because I want to change the world."
To me, that first paragraph is the strongest. Though maybe that's because that's exactly why I'd like to eventually go into teaching myself.
Best of luck and life to you, Jenny. Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :
Well, if that's the strongest paragraph, then it's in the right place. Gotta have a hook, eh?
Oh, and of course you're all welcome to critique. Although I'd prefer the "Go Jenny" remarks more... Posted by Lara (Member # 132) on :
Go Jenny Is this going to be your first teaching position?
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