Ivette M Lpez Cordero

My Teaching Philosophy
Upon writing my teaching philosophy I came to realize how my thoughts and beliefs on
education evolved. My teaching philosophy is mostly based on the pragmatic philosophy. For
Pragmatists truth and goodness must be measured according to how successfully they practice
it. In other words, pragmatism is based on utility, utility being the basis of all meaning.
According to Riestra, Pragmatism has been called instrumentalism or experimentalism, is the
maximum contribution from the United States to Western philosophy. The philosophical
elements that give consistency to pragmatism as a philosophy, arises from the contributions of
the philosophers like Charles Sanders Pierce and John Dewey. Upon what I have learned in my
courses, I concur with the beliefs of Paulo Freire because he believed that students were not
mere vessels in which teachers could bank information .Instead Freire believed the learning
process could occur through dialogue between the student and teacher. The following presents
my teaching philosophy in which I shall elaborate on how pragmatism can be used in my
classroom.
Pragmatic education attaches great importance to the social education, in fact it
conforms to permanently improve the living conditions of society through transformative fair
share of people. In pragmatism, families and the community postulate a close cooperation
between the school and the parents. The school must be looked as part of society that must be
responsive to the needs of communities. I think both teachers and parents should work together
in order to create a motivating environment at school and at home in order to help the students
fully develop themselves. The job of educating students should not be only of the teacher, the
parents should also partake in the process. I believe that one of the biggest problems that exist
today is the fact that parents blame the teachers for their childs bad grades or poor educational
achievements. Parents should remember that teachers are there to serve as mediators and it is
the job of student to work hard in order to gain knowledge; that is why parents should treat
teachers with respect.
The school curriculum should include in their programs the things that transform the
student into a competent human being, so that he/she may be able to thrive in society. I believe
that in order for the teaching process to be a success, the experimental method may be used
because it allows room for exploration and is tolerant towards new, curious discoveries. As an
educator, I want my students to broaden their horizons and explore new things. John Deweys
educational principles proposed learning through activities. I want my students be able to put to
use what they learn; hence my classroom shall be called an active classroom. I think teachers
should get to know the interests and potential of each of the students. As Pragmatism states, I
believe the teacher should establish methods for democratic decision making, but he/she cannot
be a dictator/oppressor. As Riestra elaborates, a pragmatic teacher provides stimulation for
critical thinking and provocative experiences related to the student's natural impulses.
Therefore, as a teacher shall help my students discover new things for themselves. When I
think about the relationship of the teacher/students, the ideals of Paulo Freire comes to my
mind. Freire believed students and teachers could learn from one another, thus opening the door
for dialogue. Each day students learn something new from the teacher and it also works vice
versa, the teacher can learn something new from students. My classroom will be a place of
respect, from teacher to student and student to teacher. I also believe that my classroom should
be a safe zone for my students, there will be a zero tolerance for bulling, my students shall
tolerate and respect their fellow peers. As a teacher, I will be the guide and facilitator of my
students, as an educator it is my duty and responsibility the students obtain a maximum level of
knowledge. Therefore, I shall use quizzes, exams and other activities to test the level of
knowledge of students. The role of the student shall be active and dynamic. Students will be
engaged in active learning.
The method that shall be used is the learning through experience. A school must be
active; students learn by creating and elaborating. When a direct experience is not possible, it
can be provided indirectly through audiovisual resources. I believe the school should develop
in students the democratic ideal, which for Dewey, is the mode of a more perfect social
relationship. According to Riestra, Dewey believed, the school must be a laboratory in which
children are prepared for life and their problems. The central purpose of education is the
growth of the students. So I think that schools should enrich students with the proper
knowledge, skills and values that enable them to rebuild their lives. Sometimes these
relationships are obstructed by some event. That's a problem so use our intelligence to seek its
solution in a rational way: define the problem, develop hypothesis, test hypothesis and
implement alternatives that best solve the problem. According to the pragmatic philosophy, one
cannot know reality itself since it presents itself to us through a concrete experience, where it is
impossible to separate the known object of the knowing subject. As an educator, I hope to
create an impact in the lives of my students. I hope to make my students independent human
beings, who do not settle for simply knowing and understanding something, but to be
responsible for seeking the reasons behind things; so that they may face any situation that
comes their way.




Work Cited:
Luzuriaga, L. (1977).Mi credo pedaggico: teora de la educacin y sociedad John
Dewey.Buenos Aires,: centro editor de Amrica Latina.
Riestra, M., A. (1970).Fundamentos filosficos de la educacin (edicin revisada y
aumentada).San Juan, PR.: La Editorial, Universidad de Puerto Rico.