PERSONAL PHILOSOHPY

Haley Cook

NOVEMBER 1, 2017
EDUC 2013- FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
Professor William Fridley
Purposes of Education

The purpose of education is indubitably to further education within each generation. Education is a building block

everyone needs in their lives. Although, education may include upstanding teachers leading the way for the children,

it is inevitable that education continue in each well-taught pupil (IS 10). Without the continuation, and improvement,

of education, we will never grow as a society. The purpose of education is to instill an education into children that

will improve their life in the future. The material taught will in turn create a skillful, mindful, thoughtful, and critical

thinker (IS 5). These thoughts will in turn be shared with the world, to inspire and create critical thoughts in others

for the future, as well. Some may argue that this intellectual purpose of education is the most important. While

having smart individuals in the world is a blessing, incorporating their thoughts to in turn help others, I believe is the

most important aspect that goes into the purposes of education. While the intellectual part is mostly what will be

occurring in a common classroom, there is much empathy and ethical thoughts that a teacher must consider also.

Being a teacher is a prime profession of much empathy. Yes, teachers want children to learn and behave. A teachers

job does not just include the basics. Teachers cant help but not overlook that one child not understanding. They

gravitate to them. They take extra time with them, even if they didnt appreciate it at the time. Children eventually

feel this love, and dedication. Children in turn realize themselves, without knowing, empathy. They take this trait

and use it on others. When children see fairness, they use fairness on others. This is what education is all about. The

purpose of education goes much deeper than the surface can show. Pupils, through the purpose of education,

become who they are meant to be. The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and critically.

Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education (POE). A teachers job may seem naive to others.

Their purpose is simple, the purpose of teaching education. Teachers, although, are on a much more complex

delineation.

Teachers

There is a worship song named We Must Praise by J. Moss. In the song he is comparing different skills

and abilities and how they use their gifts to praise God. He says If I were an eagle, I would use my wings, but since

Im a believer, I use everything. No matter who or what we are, we must praise. As a teacher, no matter whom or

what they are, they must teach (MaE). Teachers must use every skill, every disposition, and every critical thought to

fully engage in their work. No matter who is being taught, no matter the difficulties, teachers have every tool
available to help them be the best possible learning outlet they can possibly be. Teachers have technology, peers,

and help from many parents and volunteers to truly figure out each child in a way that they can be the best possible

teachers for each one. Teaching is more than just 2+2 and standing up in a classroom all day lecturing. Teaching is a

one-on-one with children who can change your life, as well as they can change the teachers, for the better. As a

teacher, you can be a highly influencing factor in a pupils life (IPE). Teaching is holding a child while they are

crying and letting them know you are there for them, regardless if their parents at home are. You will always be

there in their mind of that teacher who was the one there for them when no one else was. Regardless of where they

go, because not all students have the outlet of higher education, and regardless of their level to learn, because most

children do not understand all the material given to them, teachers can still be an angel to any child. The purpose of

incorporating education is very important and necessary, but teaching is much more than just 2+2.

Students

Students are all unique and specific individuals. Not all students will fit a perfect mold. Teachers want to

produce students who are critical thinkers and able to use their skills in the outside world (CT). Critical thinking is

generally acclaimed in educational circles (CT). Since all students are different, finding out students interests is a

major importance in getting knowledge across in the easiest way. While I worked at my local elementary school, I

learned that once you tied interest into the curriculum the students were more adapt to learn. Being able to insure

students are fully engaged will in turn insure that students will be interested in the curriculum being taught. It takes

much trial and error for educators. Education experiences are those that live fruitfully and creatively in future

experiences (IttoP). Trial and error allows for you to find the best options of interests for present and future

students to assist in recalling the information in the future. All students deserve to learn. They all deserve to feel

comfortable and cared about. I feel if you use your teaching methods of tying in their interests with the curriculum,

you will have a classroom full of open and comfortable students. My own experience in the school system brought

me very close to a boy who just didnt want to learn in the class I was helping in. It wasnt because he wasnt smart

or didnt understand the material, but he was disinterested. When I came in and just showed him a little care and

interest in his own thoughts, he began to be receptive and do his work. Students want to be respected and future

educators must recognize they are going to school FOR them. Students are the most important part of the whole

teaching career.
Curriculum and Teaching Methods

If all students were the same, putting together a full-proof curriculum would be easy. There are so many

stipulations to follow concerning state objectives, but there are ways to make your curriculum fit students. Finding

out what each student finds interesting is a wonderful avenue to weave common interests into the curriculum.

Teachers must use specific methods to learn about their students. To find out that information may require specific

trial and error activities or hand-outs with personal questions, depending on the grade level (SBoT). If the teaching

methods used are boring and unrelated to the students, the curriculum is going to follow suit. Teaching methods

must be flexible and willing to be changed at all times to mold around each new group of students, educational

experiences are those that promote and empower further growth, more learning, and richer experiences (IttoP). At

the end of the day teachers can not make their students like everything they come into contact with, but educators

should be open to the interests of their students that might not correspond to everything they like. This may require a

teacher to change their own teaching methods. Curriculum should not only be academic but also enjoyable for the

student. Whatever curriculum is taught for each different grade level, passing state tests at the end of the year should

not be the main goal. A curriculum that can relate to and interest children will in turn give them incentive to learn

what is needed.

Classroom Climate, Discipline, and Management

Classroom climate involves an aesthetical feel that is pleasing the students (IDP3-D). John Deweys

laboratory schools attributed to this thought, and came up with the thought of the classroom furniture being

personalized for the children. Chairs that were small enough for the children was part of this thought, and this idea is

still being used in schools all over the world. It gives the classroom a certain feel that corresponds to the children

themselves. It fits them. In correspondence to furniture, room arrangement is also a high importance (IDP3-D).

Arranging students to where they can focus the most and not be in constant interaction with other students is

essential. Classroom discipline can involve aspects of your classroom. Having a library, or a reading nook, as well

as having technology accessibility in your classroom can be weaved with classroom discipline (IS 3). Taking away

classroom privileges ties in with the classroom climate, discipline, and classroom management. Although discipline

is needed, children should not change their whole demeanor and personality to correspond just to discipline.
Educators should avoid disciplining at all cost, and more or less just set up the classroom the avoid the behavior in

the first place. If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for a reward, then we are a sorry lot

indeed (CC-L-M).

Schooling, Community, and Society

Many people think posting online is just like seeing something in person, or communicating over

messengers is just like talking in person. Technology has turned many people into introverts, and face-to-face

communication is still just as valued today by many as it should always have been. It is sad that technology has

affected children as much as it has in todays generation. As educators, the school itself and all involved should be

actively connected to the community and society (IS 10). Teachers should be inviting parents and people in the

community to be involved in the classroom. Parents should know that they are always welcome. Newsletters are a

wonderful outlet of a weekly/monthly tool being sent out to parents or guardians letting them know what is

happening every week. The community should feel obligated to want to promote their local schools. The school

should be letting the community know whats going on inside the school. Plays, talent shows, and band concerts are

important to children and the community should be in communication with the school to promote these also. In

relation to the purposes of education, the community would want critical thinkers and hard workers for future

employees. Supporting local schools helps the community by ensuring they are keeping their businesses alive and

thriving with people from the local area as well as just highly educated and confident students.
Southeastern, EDUC 2013 William L. Fridley, Ph.D.

Initial Draft (IDP 3) Rubric

Listed below are the three areas of consideration and their respective criteria.

The assessment key is as follows:

(1) You meet the criteria (of course, you are always free to make improvements)
(2) You need to make some improvements
(3) Significant and substantive improvements are required

I. Content of each Topic: (a) You clearly state and explain your philosophy on the
topic
(b) You clarify the terms and claims of your philosophy by use of specific examples,
illustrations, and information (c) You justify the claims of your philosophy by use of
relevant and appropriate reasons, explanations, evidence, and support (d) You
incorporate material from class in a way that demonstrates your understanding of
the material and how it applies to the topic

1. Purposes of Education:

2. Teachers:

3. Students:

4. Curriculum and Teaching Methods:

5. Classroom Climate, Discipline and Management:

6. Schooling, Community, and Society:

II. Format, Structure and Organization: (a) Cover page conforms to guidelines (b) You
follow the required outline and address each topic with a single paragraph (c) You use
topical subheadings according to the required format (d) Your organization and
structure are clear, consistent, and your draft is aesthetically pleasing

III. Rudiments of Composition: Demonstrates a mastery of the rudiments of composition

(spelling, punctuation, grammar, word choice, clarity of expression)