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Personal Philosophy of Education and Application

Elizabeth A. Antobam

La Sierra University



















Winter 2014
Mirtha E. Miller, Ph.D.

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Personal Philosophy
As a child, I always wanted to be a Nurse or a Teacher, as I grew older I realized
that to be a good teacher was a gift. I developed a stronger passion to become a teacher when my
daughter started grade school. I checked her work for accuracy and understanding, she was
always happy when I praise her. As time went by, I realized I explained things to her better than
my husband did, so I decided to find out if I have a hidden talent I needed to develop. I applied
to school to pursue a program in Teaching. My worldview as a teacher is to guide the child to
know and love God through nature - Metaphysics, to challenge the mental faculties of the student
- Epistemology, and to help the student know how to make good moral decisions Axiology. A
discussion of the nature of students and functions of the Adventist school system are also
important points to be addressed in this paper.
My beliefs as a future teacher can be compared to Jesuss story about the lost sheep. I see
students as individuals from different backgrounds and cultures who have different needs and
potentials waiting to be discovered, while others need love, protection and sense of self worth. I
believe that some students come from homes where they are abused, lonely, neglected and sad.
As a teacher, I need to know each student and her need, so I would know how to cater to each
student making them comfortable and giving them assurance that I care. Students who are in
need of love will be given love, and those who need a safety will be protected.
I want to be a teacher who will make a difference in the life of the student. I want
students to leave my class knowing God and loving him better than they came in. The student
will learn that there is a God who created us in his image, so we need to treat others with respect
because they are also Gods children. The student will learn to treat others like they would want
to be treated. When teaching subjects like science, I will provoke their thoughts to urge them to
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ask questions about God and nature/universe. Each student will be given motivation/praise to
show that each one of them is important to me as well as God. Students will be encouraged to
discuss questions among themselves to help them respect each others opinion and have
confidence in themselves.
I believe knowledge is acquired from God, experiences and our senses are a few ways we
can acquire knowledge. Since education is both the job of the parent and teacher, each week, the
student will take home a class newsletter that will outline the activities of the week. Then parents
will know what is going on in class in order to discuss it with the child at home. To make lessons
more practical, professionals will be invited to the class to talk about their experiences so
students can learn from them. In my classroom, students can apply what they learn in real life
and make the learning experience fun. Students will be asked thought provoking questions to
improve their reasoning skills in discussions. Students will ask questions and discuss with each
other to improve their communication, language and social skills.
It is essential to point out that teachers are an authority figure in the students life and can
influence the student positively or negatively, as Ellen White points out,
Great is the responsibility of those who take upon themselves the guidance of a human
soul . the acts, the words, the very look of the parent, continue to mold the child for
good or for evil. The teacher shares this responsibility, and he needs constantly to realize
its sacredness, and to keep in view the purpose of his work (White, 1952, p.280).
Since we are all created in the image of God and teachers are Gods representatives to students,
teachers are to be truthful and not have double standards in order not to confuse the student.
Although, some children may have learned a bad character from home, as a teacher, it is possible
to help the child refrain from that behavior. I will teach students that Truth doesnt change. Jesus
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said, I am the way the truth and life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6
King James Version). If children are taught that Jesus is the truth, and he doesnt change, they
will learn to be truthful. Through science students will be taught about nature through
observation and their senses. For example, observing the changes in a planted seed will reiterate
the existence of God and truth about creation. Giving students open-ended questions will give
them opportunity to use their logic and reasoning skills to solve problems.
In relation to axiology, students will learn about good morals and value. Students will
discuss ethical questions and some of the good things they can do. Questions like, Is it good to
steal to save a life? Just like the Heinz dilemma Lawrence Kohlberg uses in his stages of moral
development. Students can be given scenarios like this and asked to discuss it, just to arouse their
moral reasoning skills. The more they are challenged, the better they become in using their
reasoning skill. In aesthetics, I will use stories just as Jesus did with the parables to send my
message across so students can get a better understanding of ethical lessons.
Another important aspect of my philosophy of education is health. Students will be taught
to eat healthy and encouraged to make good choices. Students will stretch in between lessons to
refresh their minds. I believe when the child is healthy he is able to understand and accomplish
his tasks effectively. When education is aimed at training the whole child that is, physically,
mentally, spiritually and socially, the child becomes confident and well rounded in all areas of
life.
The nature of the student is also an important aspect of education. Every child has the
potential to grow because they are created in the image of God and have inherent talents; it is the
teachers responsibility to guide the child to develop these talents. As a teacher, I will set high,
but reasonable standards for the student and challenge them to do their best. Students will be
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praised and motivated so they can do better. These praises will be specific. For example, Thank
you for giving Jesse a pencil. Also, all students learn differently, so learning certain difficult
tasks can be made into silly songs, or made into pictures for easy understanding, while others
will discuss with each other. Every students needs will be met according to their level of
understanding to cater for students who may have a learning disability in the class or in case the
class is an inclusion class.
The Adventist educational system seeks to educate the whole being, mentally, physically,
spiritually so the student can grow to be well grounded in God and be able to serve the
community in which he lives and also prepare him for the coming of the Lord.
In order to achieve all the goals mentioned above, I will ask for God knowledge, because
Jeremiah 33:3 says, call unto me and I will answer thee and I will shew you great and mighty
things which thou knowest not. I will need to attend seminars for improvement, while
collaborating with parents and other teachers.
In conclusion, on of the greatest tasks any one can have is to be responsible for another
persons well being. I believe anyone who is a teacher has chosen a noble profession. Therefore
as a future teacher, my goal is to improve the life of the individuals who are placed in my care to
become God fearing, respectful, intelligent and responsible students who have a passion to learn
to become leaders in our world and the world to come.





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References
Barger, Robert N., (2014) A summary of Lawrence Kohlbergs Stages of Moral development.
Retrieved from
http://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialSciences/ppecorino/INTRO_TEXT/Chapter%208%20Eth
ics/Reading-Barger-on-Kohlberg.htm
Knight, G. R. (2006). Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian perspective.
Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
White, Ellen, G. (1952). Education. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association.