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head: HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 1 History and Educational Philosophy Holli A. Herrera Azusa Pacific University

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 2 Education The educational goals of the individual are to be able to use academic skills acquired to be successful in society. Individuals want to be able to apply knowledge and skills to real life situations. The goals of society are similar. Not only does society expect the individual to use their education to be successful, but also to be a positive contributor to society. When the Founders endorsed the need for public education, their motives were mostly political. History instruction was thought to teach students good judgment, enabling them to learn from prior generations; mistakes and successes and inspiring them to develop such character and honesty, integrity, and compassion (Rothstein & Jacobsen, 2006). Educational goals for society are more geared to achieving good citizenship for our future generations. Society wants a well-rounded student who can contribute to everyday life and the working world (Solent, 2006). School is not intended to be the sole and only source for developing productive and positive members of society. School is intended as one resource in which to become educated. The role of school can greatly increase a students outlook on life and ability to achieve; however, without participation from parents and society, the child in not going to have the ability to be truly well rounded (Solent, 2006). The Teacher The role of the teacher is so much more than teaching students academics. In the first year of teaching I realized that teacher is a term that takes on so many

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 3 different roles. Most importantly I think the role of the teacher is to be a role model and positive example in students lives. It is our job to set expectations and lead by those same expectations. It is our duty to educate students in the required academic areas, but more importantly set students up for success in the real world. To instill in students work ethic, responsibility, citizenship, and accountability in every aspect of life is a goal that I hope to reach with all of my students. I also think that it is essential to provide students with a safe and comfortable learning environment. I feel that as a teacher in order to have a positive environment, it is key that I not only promote certain values, but also require them. In my classroom the most important norm and expectation is Respect. It is referred to as the Golden Rule. It is a rule that I tell students is untouchable; it is not to be messed with. I do not allow students to yell at each other in my class. In return I do not yell at my students. I order for students to follow through with these expectations, I have to lead by example and I feel that all teachers should do the same. My goal is that these values will extend outside of school, into their homes, and with interactions in society. The Student The students role in their education all comes down to their willingness to work. I think that truthfully it is up to the student to learn and not really up to the rest of us. I think that teachers and family are huge when it comes to helping a child be successful. However, I also believe that a child that does not want to learn or work hard wont. I think that comes from within. It does help seeing models in their life

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 4 that do this, but ultimately the student has to make that effort. I think that society can focus too much on the teacher or the families, but when are we going to focus on the student as well. As adults we have to take responsibility within our own jobs, families, and society for the choices we make. I think that students should also have the same kind of accountability. As a teacher for some time now I have realized my hopes for each of my students are not to be able to past the CST tests. My hopes are that in the short amount of time these students shared their life with me that I have helped them grow. Although I do want to have students improve their understanding in academic concepts, that is not my only goal. I would hope to have taught them how to be successful and work hard, be responsible, be respectful of all people and belongings. Most importantly I would hope to that each student would have learned how to think and discover on his or her own. Have them not relay on others for their own growth, but to have it from within themselves. Through these skills they would become what ever they want to be, while contributing positive members of society that enjoy life. The Curriculum As a newer teacher, I valued the curriculum adoption and its easy usability. I would have had no clue what to teach, or more importantly how to teach new concepts. Having more experience throughout the years has led me to better ways to teach curriculum. I am learning what curriculum content is really valuable to students as well.

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 5 I think that the basics are the most important. Not only do they need to be taught, but more importantly mastered. Reading, reading comprehension, writing, and all math operations are foundational. Once the student masters the content, deeper critical thinking and exploring can take place. I feel that if students have these skills then they at least have the means of surviving in society. These are the basics that will get students by, but not how to move forward. To allow students to move forward and provide them with a means to do more then they ever imagined; a richer curriculum is essential. Students need to be problem solvers, they need to be able to learn how to work together and use their resources. The content of the curriculum needs to relate to real world ideas and situations. When I think about math concepts that I teach, I tend to relate it to how the skill we are learning will apply to the real world. Students need to know that the content they are learning is purposeful for them. More importantly they dont need to just be told where they can use the information in real life, they need to be given opportunities to do so as well. The Classroom Classroom organization is essential to a smooth and calm classroom environment. In each job I have held organization and being prepared for the shift or day has provided an environment that has limited chaos and dysfunction. Not only do I need to be organized and prepared for my day, I also have to set routines in place. Students do well when they know what to expect. There is a sense of safety and security knowing what the day will be like. Anxiety is limited when classroom

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 6 environment and events are organized and predictable. I find that when these systems are in place it allows for an optimal learning environment for students as well as teacher. This organization and established routine in the classroom reflects a value of education. Students are able to see the importance I put in our classroom and will respond appropriately. If I do not have these systems in place it represents that I do not value our time in the classroom. It would appear as if the classroom and lessons are not a priority and students will pick up on that and do the same. If I were allow chaos in the classroom and not have specific classroom expectations, then students will follow suit. They will see that I do not enforce certain classroom behaviors and will act negatively and therefore loose focus on the intended goal of school, which is to learn. When I value my classroom and the limited time I have to teach, it reflects my values about education. In regards to classroom consequences and management, I have noticed over the years that positive reinforcement allows works better than negative. Consequences are great when a behavior needs to be addressed immediately. However, I have noticed that praise works even better when trying to get the group to respond to a direction. Instead of pointing out who isnt doing something, it is more that students will respond when I point out someone that is following my direction. In conclusion, there is a balance that needs to be present when dealing with discipline. Consistency and follow through are vital, along with both positive and negative reinforcement.

 HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 7 Conclusion As an educator it is always important to take time to reflect on our teaching. Not only in regards to lessons, but also in regards to our values regarding education. Many teachers can get caught up in focusing on the day-to-day procedures and forget about the big picture. Why did we become educators in the first place? What were our goals when we first wanted to be a teacher? How were we going to make an impact on students? These are all questions that we need to continually address and reevaluate as the years go by. The opportunity to reflect on my educational philosophy has brought me back to the basics. It has also made me realize how much bigger my role is as a teacher than I first realized when I started teaching. I realize now that teachers have a wonderful gift that touches the lives of students every day. We teach students in more ways than academics. We teach students how to be problem solvers, how to interact with each other, how to work hard and be responsible, and how give them the skills to be independent in a society where they will become our leaders. It is through our interactions that we influence and make an impact on students. We do so much more than teach academic skills. For a small portion of time in their life we help raise our students. They become our kids. The things that we say and do, can have a great impact on them. It always surprises me how much they remember when I talk about my life or family versus when I teach an academic skill. I will conclude with an aha moment I had just last week. I have a student in my

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 8 class that sat right in front of my desk. She seems a little sad and quiet so I quickly wrote on a post it, smile with a happy face and stuck it on her desk. I didnt make a big deal about it and when she read it, she looked up and we smiled at each other and we went on with our day. That was about a month ago. Just this week I was walking by her desk and happened to look at her notebook. That same post it was tucked under the plastic cover of her notebook for her to see. The fact that she kept the note and had it on her folder, made me realize that it meant so much more to her than I had originally realized. We touch lives as teachers, and I am happy to take on the role.

HISTORY AND EDUCATIONAL PHILOSPOHY 9 References Rothstein, R and Jacobsen, R. (2006) The Goals of Education. Retrieved from http://www.epi.org/publication/webfeatures_viewpoints_education_goals/

Solent, B. (2006) The Role of School in Todays Society. Retrieved from http://brisol.wrytestuff.com/swa88272.htm