Philosophy and Goal Statement

I personally believe that every child has the right to receive a quality education. Education should be measured by its quality rather than quantity. Education is defined as the act or process of educating or being educated. It is also defined as the field of study concerned with teaching and learning. I think that we being the learning process in the womb and it continue throughout our lives until we succumb. I plan on providing a well-organized and print-rich classroom environment that is conducive to learning. Education is the pathway to gain success. The more knowledge one gains, the more enlighten they shall become about their surroundings and life. The philosophy of education recognizes that the enterprise of civil society depends on the education of the young, and that to educate children as responsible, thoughtful and enterprising citizens is an intricate, challenging task requiring deep understanding of ethical principles, moral values, political theory, aesthetics, and economics; not to mention an understanding of who children are, in themselves and in society (Wikipedia, 2005).

My goals as a teacher will be to provide a quality education to all of my students. I will fully commit myself to properly preparing for each day and giving 110% to each task that lies ahead. The quality of the outcomes in learning will be directly related to the teacher’s input in planning and delivering the instruction (Cooter, 2004). I will commit myself to being patient and very attentive to my students. I believe that we (the students and I) can continue to learn together. Sometimes the student can be the teacher in some form, and I will open my mind to their thoughts and ideas. When teachers and students exchange information about what they are learning this can increase their level of understanding (Lucas, 1990). I want to leave a positive and permanent impression on all of my students. I want to help my students to become ideal students and productive citizens. I will never give up on a student because I feel that I will be promoting failure. I want for my classroom to be a home away from home, and a place of safety and comfort for those students whom home isn’t all that ideal. I will be an important figure in my student’s lives and I plan on presenting excellence in everything I do. I will encourage my students to display this attitude throughout their lives. Along with teaching them academics, I will also teach manners and the use of proper etiquettes that will help them outside of the classroom. Throughout my grade school years, when I asked a teacher for the correct spelling of a word I was always told to look in the dictionary. This really aggravated me because there were times when I still spelled the word wrong. To some degree, a teacher should allow or encourage their students to be independent but you should also know when to step in and provide the guide instruction they may need. Teaching shouldn’t always be by the book it should also incorporate the ideas and strategies gained through the assessment and observation of the students. The researched theory known as the transactional theories of the reading process is one I strongly believe and agree with. Transactional theories of the reading process suggest that there is interdependency between individuals and their environment (Cooter, 2004). I think that if you can show a relationship between the text and the student’s personal experiences the student can gain a better understanding of the task ahead

A good teacher should have excellent communication skills. They should also familiarize themselves with different cultures and backgrounds of their students to help them relate to them better. Good communication occurs when two important things take place. The expression of a thought or feeling and the effective listening of that expressed concept. Establishing fulfilling interpersonal relationships is enhanced by mastering the communication process. This skill can be used to improve interactions with others in all aspects of one’s life, such as personal and professional relationships. Of course, for this communication process to be effective the message sent must be interpreted as the sender intended it to be understood (Fanning, 1995). I hope to be my students’ confidant. I want to provide an environment of safety and a persona of warmth.

Rewarding exceptional behavior is a way of reinforcing particular behavior. If you let a child know that they did a good job or has accomplished the goal they set for themselves they will try harder to do better and set higher goals. A reward can come in the form of a simple praise, a material gift, or special privileges. Unfortunately, there is no single magical formula for motivating students. Many factors affect a given student's motivation to work and to learn: interest in the subject matter, perception of its usefulness, general desire to achieve, self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as patience and persistence. And, of course, not all students are motivated by the same values, needs, desires, or wants. Some of your students will be motivated by the approval of others, some by overcoming challenges. Research has also shown that good everyday teaching practices can do more to counter student apathy than special efforts to attack motivation directly (Forsyth and McMillan,1991). Most students respond positively to a well-organized course taught by an enthusiastic instructor who has a genuine interest in students and what they learn.

References

Wikipedia.12 July 2005.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_education