Alexandria Loggins

Personal Philosophy of Education

ED500
September 2016

We all had good teachers and bad teachers. What is it that differentiates the best
from the rest? Teaching is hard work and some teachers never grow to be anything
other than mediocre. The great teachers however, work tirelessly to create a positive,
nurturing, but yet challenging environment for their students. When you think about the
goals of education and the purpose of school, the most obvious answer that comes to
mind is usually to learn. I believe that students need proper exposure to information
from basic subjects such as reading, mathematics, language arts, science, and social
studies. However, the core subjects are only a portion of what I believe students should
know.
I believe in educating and developing the whole person. It goes much deeper
than just basic textbook knowledge. I believe that all students need to learn how to be
productive citizens. Other goals include but are not limited to understanding how to be
opened minded and tolerable of other peoples culture, upbringings, and backgrounds. I
want both my current and future students to understand how to work independently as
well as with others as a team to accomplish a common goal. I want to encourage all my
students to act with integrity and self-respect even if no one else is. I believe that every
child is a leader and that they are good at something. I want to encourage them to
identify their strengths as well as their weakness and to use those to better themselves.
It is my belief that each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring,
and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature: emotionally, intellectually,
physically, cognitively, and socially. I want to create a classroom where students feel
safe, supported, and are risk takers, full of ideas that they are willing to share with
confidence.

As an educator, it is my goal to inspire students in all aspects of their lives and to

instill some of the core competencies and values that I too learned as a child. Certain
values are important not just in education but in life itself and those values can take you
a long way. Perseverance, being able to think critically to solve problems is all values of
successful people.
Teaching young minds is full of challenges, frustrations, and responsibilities;
however, it is a job that is also full of excitement, surprises, and happiness. I strongly
believe that all children learn by doing. If they have the proper motivation and direction,
the sky is the limit. It is my duty to encourage and motivate children to reach their full
potential. Classroom organization and management are two key components to
consider when teaching. Helping students to develop a deep love and respect for
themselves, others, and their environment occurs through an open sharing of ideas and
a judicious approach to discipline. In setting firm, fair, and consistent rules initially and
stating the importance of every rule and procedure, students learn to respect
themselves, others, and the environment.
Realizing that student involvement is important, I allow students to participate in
student discourse as often as possible while I take on the role as a facilitator. It is my
desire to allow students to have freedom that allows for expression and creativity.
Students should be able to experiment with likes and dislikes and to realize their
strengths and weaknesses. After the foundation is laid, the curriculum can be molded to
tie in each students learning style. Along with skills development, I desire to foster a
positive attitude toward all subjects so that students know and appreciate the
importance of the role that education plays in their lives. I am a strong believer in

community and collaboration. I believe that parents, teachers, and administrator all play
an important role in the molding and shaping of students. I attempt to work together with
a support team with the common goal for the students to be the best that they can be is
I am a strong advocate of reading and writing. It is my desire that all students
reach their maximum potential in regards to literacy. I want all of my students to be
responsible about their work so that they may become collaborative problem solvers. I
believe that it is important for me to grow as a professional, just as my students grow to
become independent learners. Therefore, I always look for research-based practices
that will aid me in helping my students to attain their greatest potential. In addition, I
attend professional development courses, and conferences to keep me abreast for what
lies ahead. Education is forever changing minute-by-minute, second by second. It is my
responsibility and duty to learn the new strategies and lessons to bring back to my
students.
Some of those research-based practices included are the leading philosophies
and theories of education and how that influences teaching and learning in schools
involving what is taught and how it is taught. The three main branches of philosophy are
divided as to the nature of the questions asked in each area. Although the philosophies
are very different from one another, metaphysics, axiology and epistemology all have
unique concepts and influence our ideas about education, beliefs about knowledge, and
ethical values? I believe understanding educational philosophy will contribute to the
understanding of how these foundations have given rise to what is commonly practiced
and believed in the classroom today.

Metaphysics is the study and the nature of existence. They ask the question,
what is real? What kinds of things exist? How is existence possible? Closely related is
Epistemology, the study of knowledge and how we know about reality and existence.
Axiology is usually divided into two main parts, ethics and aesthetics. Ethics includes
the study of human conduct and examines moral values while aesthetics pertains to the
study of value in the arts or the inquiry into feelings, judgments, or standards of beauty
and related concepts. While all philosophies influence curriculum and teaching and
learning in schools, I think the epistemology is the best fit for me. Epistemology is
essential in education because it shows why and how the curriculum is important.
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy that considers how people come to learn what
they know.
In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid
education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual
needs. I am such an educator and I will forever strive to be the best, accomplished
teacher I can be.