Jennifer Medina

LBS 203

Philosophy of Education

Introduction

Aside from students learning core subjects such as history, math, English, and

science, students should also achieve 21st century goals such as being able to create new

skills, to develop new understandings, and to reflect on their knowledge through teaching

methods such as inquiry and project-based learning while incorporating social justice

teaching.

Purpose

Education should serve students the ability to achieve 21st century goals such as

critical thinking skills, deep learning, reflecting on their knowledge, and creating thoughtful

investigation while developing new ideas and understandings (Stripling, 2008, 1).

Education should also give students the ability to function and contribute to their society.

Learning environment

It is important for an educator to realize that learning barriers are not obstacles but

actually a tool to help educators understand students with the same learning difficulties in

future teaching classrooms (Wilson; Peterson, 2006, 1). It is time to stop looking at these

troubled students as a step back but as a step forward. A step that allows educators support

those students who need extra attention and also learn from those students. The educator
should also make sure that all her students are in a comfortable learning environment and

one that is also a positive and reinforcing one.

Social justice

Social justice teaching in this current society is crucial to help students develop

understandings of their society and grasp what happens outside of their immediate peers.

Through social justice, students become new producers of new knowledge and new

understandings, new texts, and new meanings (Mooney, 2015, 5). If educators arent

teaching their students about both historical material and current, then students arent

being taught to their full potential.

Curriculum

Education is not just about learning core subjects anymore. Critical thinking,

creating new skills, developing understandings, and having students reflect on their

knowledge should also be a priority just as important as an English or math class. It is not

enough for the student to just learn basic skills and memorize information. Students should

be taught in ways that deepen their understanding of the material while achieving 21st

century goals.

What makes a good teacher?

In order for an educator to become an effective teacher, there are a few things that

should be practiced. Among those include stepping outside the box of traditional teaching

and practicing pedagogical teaching theories such project-based learning, inquiry, and
social justice teaching. An educator should also learn about their students as well as the

most powerful way to help students interact with their content (Wilson, M.; Peterson, L.,

2006, 1).
 References

Mooney, B. (2015). Why I dropped everything and started teaching Kendrick Lamars New

Album. http://beemoons.wordpress.com

Oakes, J.; Lipton, M. (2002). Teaching to change the world (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.

Wilson, S.M.; Peterson, P.L. (2006). Theories of learning and teaching what do they mean for

educators? Washington, D.C.: National Education Association.