The Child becomes largely what is taught

The child becomes largely what it is taught; hence we must watch what we teach it, and
how we live before it.
Philosophy of Education
Lauren Fee
Dominican University of California

The Child becomes largely what is taught

The child becomes largely what it is taught; hence we must watch what we teach it, and
how we live before it. Jane Addams
I want to create a safe environment within the classroom and I want students to be
open to sharing in the year-long journey of learning. I want to cater to different learning
styles and I want to teach using a variety of tools to create the most effective space for
education and growth to take place. I believe that education is truly the most beneficial
way to improve the life of any individual. If the children of today will be the future of
tomorrow, we need to start the transformation of life-long learning within our classroom
regardless of grade level and subject matter.
I want my classroom to be a safe environment where powerful
thoughts and expressions can be heard and where students are eager
to learn and to self-discover and where they arent afraid to be
themselves. A teacher needs to have the desire to get to know not only
the students academic achievement but the student as a whole. I
want students to be comfortable asking for help because in my
classroom, failing is just part of the process. I want students to be
proud of who they are and feel accepted and respected. I want
students to enter the classroom looking forward to bringing their whole
selves to school each day. I want to create a safe space for learning
while embracing what everyone brings to the table.
I focus on believing that all are equal, no matter what religion or values
a person chooses; a global world-view, a way of thinking or a way of
understanding
consciousness

reality
or

based

awareness

on

that

new
all

politically

things

are

correct

essentially

The Child becomes largely what is taught

interconnected. It is my belief that differences of opinion, culture,

lifestyle choice, etc. all should be welcomed in a classroom setting.
My beliefs about teaching and learning are to embrace each
individual and what they bring to the classroom culture. As a teacher, I
need to learn about our students and identify what we can to bring
cultural awareness and make my students feel welcome to express
who they are while at school. Race, religion, lifestyle, socio-economics,
sexual orientation, and gender are all present within the Bay Area and
around the world. As a future teacher, its important that I already
practice

and

carry

multicultural

perspective

to

integrate

multiculturalism within the curriculum. It is my belief that differences of

opinion, culture, lifestyle choice, etc. all should be welcomed in a
classroom setting. I am going to positively facilitate this openness in
the classroom for positive growth and appreciation of other peoples
cultural identity. Although we are all different, we should be able to
hear what others have to contribute without shutting down their
opinions and/or viewpoints (cultural sensitivity). Students should want
to learn to care about those similar to one another as well as those
who are drastically different.
Having a multicultural perspective is being open and thoughtful
of cultures that arent of ones own belief. This viewpoint is important
to truly be a positive influence on students I need to value and
embrace everyones differences. As students spend a school year

The Child becomes largely what is taught

learning and being instructed by an educator, that educator needs to

be an example of someone who has a multicultural perspective and a
continuous positive and safe approach to learning.
In order for each of my students to succeed and find their learning style in
education and in learning, I want to provide the best learning environment for my
students. My beliefs about teaching and learning are to embrace each individual and what
they can bring to the classroom culture. I need to learn about my students and identify
what I can to bring cultural awareness and make our students feel welcome to express
their learning styles.
Inmyclassroom,IwouldliketoadoptHowardGardners theoryofmultiple
intelligences.Ibelievethistheoryofmultipleintelligencesplaysthelargestroleinmy
philosophy for my future classroom. Howard Gardner of Harvard has identified ten
distinct intelligences. This theory has emerged from recent cognitive research and
"documentstheextenttowhichstudentspossessdifferentkindsofmindsandtherefore
learn,remember,perform,andunderstandindifferentways"(Gardner,1993).Knowing
the learning styles of my students will give me inspiration and insight on the
differentiationrevolvingaroundmylessons,centertimeanditwillgivemeabetteridea
ofhowIwanttostructuremyclassroommanagement.
I want students to share their knowledge and participate as a 21 st century
learners. This means, as a teacher, that I need to provide them with the skills,
resources, and tools to explore and express their curiosity towards learning.
Learningtakesplacethroughoutlifeinmanyplacesandspaces.Frombirththrough
their careers, learners need a broad range of experiences that develop their skills,

The Child becomes largely what is taught

dispositionsandabilitiestosucceed.Astrongfoundationforsuccessisrootedinlearning
thathappensinandoutofschool.(Partnershipfor21 stcenturylearning,2015).I want to
support their learning and help them to want to apply their knowledge to real world
experiences outside of the classroom. I want to take their interests and aspirations into
creating enrichment for students. I want to provide students with choices and allow them
to take ownership within the classroom. I want the students to be connected to the
information and I want to differentiate learning for all learners. I enjoy bringing
technology into the classroom and providing students with the exposure to the
technology that surrounds them. I take interest in provide students with technology
such as iPads, Chromebooks and SMART Technology. By referencing videos and
photography, students gain further knowledge and visuals to represent the topics
covered within the classroom. I support students and their wanting to express
themselves and wanting to care about what is going on around them within the
school and within the country where they reside. Whichever grade I instruct, I want to
focus my attention on their physical, social and emotional development.
Self-reflection, self-awareness, empathy, and active participation in the cultural
surrounding an individual are all things that are very much needed in our classrooms
today. Through reflection, students can connect instruction with their lives. I want to
bring the excitement of learning and creativity into the classroom in as many outlets
as it takes to be successful.
In conclusion, I want to truly create a learning environment where each member
of the classroom can be successful and confident and I want to be sure to prepare my
students to be successful in their future. I want students to feel open to collectively

The Child becomes largely what is taught

sharing their ideas and embracing the differences within our classroom. I need to focus
my attention on pulling the experiences of each individual into the thinking and learning
that takes place within the classroom. If we want the next generation of youth in our
country to embrace pluralism and truly bring our country together as one group we need
to start the transformation within our classroom regardless of grade level and subject
matter. That is my philosophy.
References
Gardner, H. (1993). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences
(10 anniversary ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.
Partnership for 21st century learning. (2015). Resources for educators. Retrieved from
http://www.p21.org/our-work/resources/for-educators