Running head: Philosophy of Education 1

Philosophy of Education
Jaimee Arnold
Bryan College
Philosophy of Education 3

Introduction

There are many aspects to a teachers job, but overall a teachers goal is to educate. The

purpose of education is to prepare students for later on in life. It is important to help students to

maintain their curiosity throughout their schooling and help them to take more responsibility as

they get older. Education should help students in becoming part of society and being able to take

new information and know what to do with it. As a student gets older, they will be given more

responsibility and have more decisions to make for themselves. Once it is time for students to

make those decisions, it is important they have the necessary skills to help them later on in life

and in the work force

The Nature of the Learner

Every student has a different learning style; whether that be visual, aural, kinesthetic,

verbal, logical, etc. it is the teachers job to be able to teach to all of these different styles in the

classroom. To do this, I will have to keep these differences in mind while planning for class. Just

as students learn in different ways, there are different ways to teach in order is reach every

student. This may include using visual aids, verbally explaining information, having hands on

activities, allowing students to explain verbally or in writing what they are learning, and many

other examples.

The Teaching/Learning Process

The learning process is directly related to the nature of the learner. The motivations and

needs of a student effect how they learn, and ultimately how they are taught. We know that a

students motivation is both internal and external, so, this is something that I will have to be

aware of in the classroom. It is also important for me to keep a students needs in mind.

According to Maslows hierarchy of needs, there are certain needs that have to be met before a
Philosophy of Education 3

student can learn to their fullest potential. One last element that factors into the teaching and

learning process is the developmental levels of students. Just because a student is in a specific

grade doesnt mean they are at the same developmental level as their peers. Cognitive

development is important to consider when teaching, because the method of teaching is

dependent on a students cognitive level.

The Role of the Teacher

In the classroom, teachers have to be an educator, comforter, authority figure, expert in

their field, a friend (in the manner of a healthy student-teacher relationship), and several other

things. Through this, my role is to teach my students and prepare them for later on in life, be

loving and understanding, and be a consistent person in their life. To prepare them, Ill have to

give them responsibility in the classroom. To be loving and understanding, Ill have to take into

account all the various factors that can affect how a student acts in the classroom, and keep them

in mind while teaching and managing my classroom. Then to be consistent, Ill have to be

someone who always shows up and isnt wishy washy with what I expect from them or with my

own actions.

The Ethics of Teaching

My ultimate goal from showing my students grace, love, kindness, patience, and giving

them responsibility for their choices is to prepare them for later on in life. Each of my students

will one day be part of society, and they need to be prepared for when that time comes. Just as

for the responsibility I give my students in the classroom, I want them to be able to handle the

responsibility they will be given in society. The responsibilities they will have in society will be

different, but I hope to have prepared them to make the right decisions. Then for the times they

dont make the right decisions that they will learn from it.