Running head: EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY PAPER
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Educational Philosophy Paper
Ke’Yarra Martin
Liberty University
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Abstract
Teachers are a part of education to ensure that students are getting the best education and
teaching that is available for them to receive no matter neither the disability nor the health issue
they may be faced with. No matter what a child may have faced or face throughout their lives, it
is still always good for the teacher to know or have an idea just so they know what they need to
do to make sure that each student is capable of understanding the information that will be taught
to them and this is where my educational philosophy really stems from around the students and
making sure that they are actually learning and taking in the information being taught to them.
When a philosophy is student based then no matter the challenge, you will be able to handle it,
because through and with god all things are possible.
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Introduction
In my opinion, having an education philosophy is very important as a teacher/instructor
simply because it allows others to know what you stand for and what they can expect from you
for the time that they are assigned to you. To be able to teach is a profession, not something that
was just created for fun. Throughout the biblical text we even learned that multiple disciples
failed due to not following instructions in which they had to face consequences for. So, in gods’
eyes we are actually all teachers and all leaders whether it may be in a classroom or just simply
in the life we choose to live. There as so many educational philosophies that helped to mold the
foundation of education and very high standards have been set for education. We are now going
to go in a little further into what the philosophy of some of the philosophers were and what my
own person philosophy on education is.
Philosophy of Schools & Learning
Education has always provided a purpose to support children in developing the skills,
knowledge, and the dispositions that were required to help students to be responsible, and
contributing members of their community. Critical thinking skills, creativity, interpersonal skills
and even social responsibility all lead to successes in life that are influential and will be
beneficial to each and every student that we teach and are encountered with on day to day basis.
In todays’ society we all know the way in which we would prefer the educational system
to operate but unfortunately it does not work that way. I can honestly say though that the only
philosopher that I am able to relate to would be Gutek, reason being is because he provides very
detailed and structured history of education from the very beginning to the end. “Some of these
hurdles have been good, such as the teaching of scripture, and some have been not so good, such
as the 1960s when prayer and Bible reading were eliminated from our public schools “(Gutek,
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1995). It just simply amazes me at how many hurdles we have had to cross, to jump over just to
get where we are as a society today.
As I continued on further researching I noticed that there were multiple individuals whom
seemed to think that if those whom were in control of the students education actually took their
job more seriously and put more effort and care into it then the students they were teaching might
actually have a greater desire to learn. That is why I tell every individual if you do not have the
patience for children and do not love what you do; do not waste your time going into the field.
The success of our future generation is the most important thing and it means the most to
me because I know that they are our future and so we as educators need to push to ensure they be
nothing short of amazing. Barton once stated that “we could have the same results today if
parents, teachers and politicians were more concerned with educating our students” (Barton,
2004). The most valid yet true statement I have heard from a philosopher other than Gutek in a
while. If parents take out more time with their children, teachers took their job more seriously,
and politicians focused more on the school system and not what the government could do next
we would see a drastic change within our school systems.
Instructional Practice
As I was completing my research, I came to understand that the best instructional
practices are teaching methods that are specific and guide direct one on one interaction within
the classroom. I always define the best instructional practices as a push from your
teacher/professor to be able to move their students forward in their learning. As an educator and
also a parent myself I have always believed that each individual child is unique in their own way
and they all need to be in an atmosphere where they are able to grow in all aspects whether it is
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emotionally, intellectually, physically, or socially. Just be in an environment that is caring and
most importantly secure.
That is why I have pushed so hard to achieve this degree and even though I want to be in
day care I still want to be an effective teacher and to be that I have to start by finding out each of
my student’s interests, their abilities, and their level of understanding. I will go each day and
look beyond their ongoing possibilities and set high expectations for them and their education. I
know that all of my students will not learn at the same pace and some may not catch on as fast as
other but we will push and work together with one another until they all succeed, I will
incorporate lesson plans that will allow my students to be able to think and learn by themselves
as well as with others.
Teacher-Learner Relationships
This is the most important principle when being a teacher, and that’s building a one on
one relationship with each student, having that teacher – learner/student relationship. Having this
relationship allows the student to feel comfortable with you, be able to come to you for questions
or even for extra help if it is needed for an assignment.
It just amazes me how in today’s society there has been reform after reform simply
because the society that we live in has their set ways on how they think our school systems
should be instead of considering what is best for the students and their security. Because of the
great ideas of society, technology has taken over our school systems and definitely over our
youth. As teachers and as parents it is still our job to still push our children and encourage them
because having a tablet won’t always be the answer but sometimes they will have to pick up a
newspaper, a book, maybe even a bible if the situation calls for it, you just never know this day
in time.
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“Teachers have the unique opportunity to support students’ academic and social
development at all levels of schooling” (Baker, Grant, & Morlock, 2008). Some teachers just do
not know that they play such an important role in the lives of students and in their schooling
experience. I will always push to be an effective teacher and I will ask my students do they need
assistance, offer tutoring, inquire if they may questions. Whatever I need to do just to ensure that
all of my students become stronger thinkers and better students that are motivated and push
every day to be greater than they were the day before.
Diversity
There is absolutely no way a teacher can be an effective teacher and inspire learning to
students without being a learner for themselves. A good teacher must learn about other ethics,
learn about the different disabilities like ADHD, Dyslexia, etc. just so they are able to pick out
what they are if they may ever come across a child that suffers from the illness and then they
would be able to bring it to the parents or the appropriate staffing at schools’ attention to ensure
the child gets the proper care that is needed to treat it to help them succeed further in their
learning.
As educators we have to be of society and the worlds we live in that are constantly
changing. If I expect them to live by their values and their beliefs than I must do the exact same
thing because we lead by example and I cannot expect the best from them if I am not giving
them the same in return. Because I personally believe that all children have the capabilities of
learning no matter the disability or the illness. We just have to understand that students will only
perform to the potential of what is being expected from them which is why I stated earlier to set
your expectations higher and once the child notices that you desire that for them and actually
push them will push to make sure it gets done and the goal will be met. When you do not set
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your goals high they will not push for the top, and when you set your expectations little, they will
give you little we began to learn that overtime as teachers/professors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is pretty safe to say that our society in this 21st century is beyond
misleading when it comes to education and its purpose. I always remind myself of the quote
from Henry Adams, “a teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops”. That
is why it is so important that we motivate, encourage, and most importantly walk in what we
teach so that our students are led by example and once their older they will not depart from it.
I am quite sure that teachers and administrators do in fact want all students to succeed but
in order for this to happen they have to make use of their time and put in every effort to ensure
that each and every need of all students are met. But unfortunately because of certain politicians
seeking office, and with certain ideas being misunderstood, society is misled very often. “As
teachers, our goal is to make a difference in the lives of children and to motivate them to make a
difference in the lives of others” (Clark, 2003).
So, that is why I believe that every teacher/professor lives to serve a purpose. A teacher is
designed to be dedicated to what they do, dedicated to learn, to be disciplined to his or her
students and to push to make their futures great. When I chose to be an educator, these are the
challenges I accepted and I will forever remain too committed to them.
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References
Gutek, G. L. (1995). A history of Western educational experience (2nd ed.) Long Grove, IL:
Waveland Press.
Barton, D. (Director). (2004). Four centuries of American education [Documentary]. United
States: WallBuilders.
Baker, J. Grant, s., & Morlock, L.(2008). The teacher–student relationship as a developmental
context for children with internalizing or externalizing behavior problems. School
Psychology Quarterly, 23(1), 3-15.
Clark, R. (2003). The essential 55: an award-winning educator's rules for discovering the
successful student in every child. New York: Hyperion
