Amy Roesler

My Philosophy Statement on Education

As I mostly align myself with the Progressivism educational philosophy, I believe that
each student is a unique and diverse individual. I will provide students with a safe environment
where they may comfortably share differing thoughts and opinions to encourage and bring
positive attention to diversity. I believe that the purpose of education is to create a physically,
intellectually, socially, and emotionally, well-rounded, respectful individual. By focusing on
learner differences, I hope to help all students achieve academic success while also preparing
them for their role as citizens of the world.
Unlike Perennialism and Essentialism, my teaching will rarely use the method of long
lecturing. I feel that this type of instruction may lose student interest in learning. In order to
obtain a successful learning environment, my instruction will include problem-based instruction
and guided discovery or allowing students to discover answers to problems while learning with
teacher guidance. Furthermore, students will participate in cooperative learning or working
together in groups with their peers. Learning will be hands on, where students are actively
involved in their learning. Sometimes this will consist of interactive discussion and questioning
between teacher and students. Students will be encouraged to think critically and use problem
solving and decision making skills.
In effort to accomplish meaningful, active, student participation, students will learn about
their interests while still preserving the education of subject knowledge. When instructing on
subject knowledge, instruction will be made applicable to real-life situations. Like Social

Amy Roesler

Reconstructionism, students will be encouraged to think about the bigger picture. They will
learn to relate subject knowledge to society in effort to contribute to their moral compass.
I will mostly provide ongoing, informal assessments with my students, but like the
Essentialism philosophy, I will formally assess on objectives and performance accordingly. By
using informal assessments, I feel I can keep a more accurate record of student development and
areas for improvement. This will also allow me to quickly adjust my instruction to meet needs.
Students will keep a portfolio, where they can keep track of their development throughout the
school year. By self-assessing, students will learn metacognition, a skill necessary in life. I will
also construct student-teacher meetings and group-teacher meetings in order to assess. Likewise,
I will formally assess students to prepare them for state testing.
I will manage the classroom environment with positive discipline, demonstrating a loving
and caring environment where students are encouraged to succeed. By demonstrating my respect
for them as individuals, I hope to teach and receive respect from them in return. Students will be
held accountable for classroom assignments and behavior, teaching them responsibility as a
necessary skill in our world.
I will be a positive role model for my students, demonstrating to them how like their
goals, my goals as a teacher are dynamic and evolving. I hope my excitement for learning will
encourage my students' learning. As a dedicated individual to the education field, I will not stop
at helping my students achieve their fullest potential.