Philosophy of Education

Richard Burd

Mr. Conaway

EDU 255

8 February 2011

Philosophy of Education

I was a philosophy major in college, and in all my studies, all my readings, all my musings, I have never found a better approach to life than the one I learned as a small child in Sunday school: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
This maxim has served me extremely well throughout my 28 years in marketing and has continued to serve me well over the past five years as an educator. I consistently and deliberately try to put myself in the other person’s position in order to grasp an understanding of what would be best for them. And then do it.

My first and foremost consideration in a classroom is safety. In order to establish a learning environment, I believe it is essential to let students know that they are safe; they are in a room where no harm—physical, emotional, psychical—will occur. I propose to the students a list of four rules, to which we must all agree: 1) be nice, 2) no bullying, 3) no threats, and 4) no put-downs. From experience, I know this posture works; within only a short period of time, students are often repeating to their peers one or more of these rules. They are simple, but these rules will cover a multitude of offences.

Secondly, I believe every student not only can learn, but has been innately endowed with a mind that is hungry for information much the way that their stomachs are hungry for food.  As a teacher, it is my goal to discover what methods spark each student to become a life-long learner. This requires a variety of teaching methods, and a constant involvement in the individual academic needs of each student. For example, co-operative learning works well for many students, but not for all. “Stand and Deliver” works well for some students, but not for all. Socratic methods work well for some students, but not for all. It is, therefore, necessary that I adjust and massage my teaching methods constantly—always looking for better methods, greater progress, and more student excitement, while maintaining a focus on meeting and exceeding the standards set forth by our state and local educational authorities.

Next, I believe that parent involvement is a key component to the education of a child. It has been my attempt to promote this involvement by making positive phone calls or sending positive e-mails to the parents/guardians of students. I have an open door policy, in which I welcome visits, calls, letters, or any communication from the student’s guardian. Though at times, this has required adjustments and additional restraints on my schedule, it is well worth the investment. Students respond in a positive fashion if they know I am open and honest and concerned for their welfare.

In summary, I believe Frank McCourt said it best in his book Teacher Man: “Students, if you blame the teachers, you’ll never change. Teachers, if we blame the students, we’ll never change.”