Teaching Philosophy

Philosophy of Teaching

Lenore Swanson

University of Alaska Southeast 

     

      W.B. Yeats captured the exhilaration of teaching when he wrote:

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”  I love teaching.  I especially love teaching when the learning in my classroom is fun, effective and full of 'fire'.

I believe:

• All students have the right and the ability to learn and to be formally educated.    
• That the learning environment must be an effective, positive and productive place where all students can and will learn if given parameters that provide safety, self-confidence and yet stimulate enough interest to engage the student. 
• Learners are individuals who bring a unique set of needs and abilities to the classroom and that they should be encouraged to become responsible for their own learning, especially as they mature. Adherents to the philosophy of Idealism maintain that "education is the process of unfolding and developing that which is a potential in the human person" (Van Nuland, 2001).  The concept of the learner as an individual is supported by Dr. Howard Gardner who developed the theory of multiple intelligences which states that students learn in several different ways (Gardner, 1983).  The concept of having student-owned learning is supported by a component of the school of Realism which maintains that learning is the students' primary responsibility (Van Nuland, 2001).        
• It is important to recognize and embrace the diversity, both individual and cultural, that arises in a classroom setting as it provides a myriad of opportunities to enhance student learning and growth.  The School of Idealism claims that it is the teacher's responsibility to stimulate learner awareness of ideas and be a transmitter of cultural heritage (Van Nuland, 2001).    
• An outstanding teacher is a person who truly finds joy in facilitating learning in children while creating opportunities for learning which improve the chances of student success. The School of Existentialism supports this belief through its emphasis on individuality.  It states that it is the teacher's role to help students make their own choices and become their own person while learning how to become a positive and giving community member (Van Nuland, 2001).  Freidrich Froebel, the founder of kindergarten, may be cited in support of this belief as he emphasized the importance of the learner's own self-activity (Van Nuland, 2001).
• I believe an outstanding teacher is organized, motivated, and able to communicate well in a way that would engage the student in the desire to learn.    It is important to consider the different rates and types of cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development as well as the learning style of each child as I intentionally set out to teach them.  Understanding Erik Erickson's Four Stages of Identity, which was updated by James Marcia (1991), will allow me to consider which stage each child is developing in to better understand how to encourage self-esteem and self-awareness in all students.
• An outstanding teacher makes a positive difference in the lives of the students.  As a teacher who understands Jean Piaget's theory of Cognitive Development, I plan to intentionally consider the different levels of development in my classes and teach content and styles that are appropriate for each developmental level.        
• The learning process is multifaceted, unique to each student, yet containing unifying threads of purpose in addressing the student as a whole person.   Constructivist learning is the heart of my teaching style.  It allows students to have a more active role in their own learning than in typical classrooms.  Student-Centered Instruction is key to building human beings that can operate in our society and give back to the culture.   According to Vygotsky, this process encourages cooperative learning, project based learning and discovery.  
• Curriculum is a set of criteria designed as much as possible, to meet the needs of students while satisfying the Alaska State Standards.   I believe the use of a rubric for assessment is one of the best ways to encourage students to accept responsibility for their work.
• If I am to be a good facilitator of learning; I must embrace opportunities to expand my own learning on an ongoing, life-long basis and model intentional an excellent teaching.

Bibliography:

Alaska State Standards.  Retrieved July 13, 2010 from          http://www.eed.state.ak.us/standards/pdf/standards.pdf

Gardner, Howard. (1983).  Frames of mind.  In Richard L. Bucko Brain Basics: Cognitive Psychology and its implications for education.  Guilford, CT:  McGraw-Hill Dushkin.

Piaget's Developmental Theory. Retrieved July 13, 2010 from             http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/piaget.htm

Toulmin, Stephen.  (1978).  The Mozart of Psychology:  A Review of Vygotsky's book, Mind of Society.  Retrieved July 13, 2010 from  http://vygotsky.afraid.org/

Van Nuland, S. (2001).  The Developing Reflective Role Model Teacher Building a            Personal Philosophy of Teaching Continues to Meet and Debate Philosophy.    Retrieved July 13, 2010 from:  http//www.nipissingu.ca/education/BEd/educ4204/educ4204.html.

Yates, E.B., Quote retrieved April 3, 2013 from:  http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7986-education-is-not-the-filling-of-a-pail-but-the