Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 1
Philosophy of Education
Arian Ruby May Smith
College of Southern Nevada
Intro to Elementary Education
Dr. Ce Isbell
Monday, April 3, 2017
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 2
Philosophy of Education
Profession.
I am choosing the Elementary Education profession because I know I can shape young
minds for the betterment of future and because of the love I have for children. I have wanted to
teach children since I was a child myself; I held instruction or meetings in my backyard for many
of the neighborhoods children on subjects like how to play a specific game correctly or how to
use manners. I also have a very vivid memory of my own elementary teacher helping me when I
was struggling and for the first time I had someone believe in me other than my parents which
helped me thrive. My field observation helped me understand different teaching environments as
I had the ability to watch two teachers in their classrooms that had very different teaching
methods and environments for their students; all of them were thriving because the students
adored the teacher.
Teaching.
The way I will be teaching is reflected in a test on figure 4.5 within the textbook, becoming a
Teacher 9th Edition, by Forrest W. Parkay on page 140. It states that I closely fit in the
philosophy of Existentialism and after research I believe my psychological orientations fit
closely to humanistic or constructivism. Even though I recently moved to the United States, a
historical event here changed the way I will view my class; Brown v. Board of Education of
Topeka in 1954. I believe that regardless of where or who the child is, there should be no out
casting of them within the school and specifically in my classroom as I want it to be a safe place
or a second home to them.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 3
Instruction.
In terms of instruction, I will use a student-centered approach to learning which will
involve group/class discussions and group projects and the student will be assessed during
instruction I give. The specific instruction I give will be based on the school/district I am
employed with as they have different standards. I believe I would use mastery learning,
homework, and hands-on learning to name a few.
Regarding student learning, I will focus on placing all the different learning styles as it is
important everyone has the chance to understand lessons that I will give. To student diversity, I
will treat each student with the utmost respect regarding their culture, gender, race, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic status and I will make sure my classroom is a safe place for all these. With
student variability, I will make sure each student has the equipment to succeed as they are able
to, place protocols if a student falls behind thus needing additional aid, and will follow the IEP to
the letter regarding students with disabilities. Lastly, with the assessment of students I will follow
what the school district gives. If I had my choice with it I would use informal techniques or low
sakes assessment that involve polls, surveys, and written reflections. I would also use formal
techniques such as in-class activities, quizzes, and online learning modules if it is available to
assess the students.
Future.
I believe that the characteristics and skills I will need to continue in this career are
making sure I am an accessible and caring teacher but also have high expectations for students
while being flexible with teaching. Being able to communicate with colleagues on an ongoing
bias and being a highly-qualified teacher will make sure I continue in this career. Other important
qualities to be in this profession I feel are having good rapport with students and their parents
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 4
and having good classroom management skills. A child who does not trust or like their teacher
will not learn as well as one who does. Especially if the student has no management and the
teacher doesn’t believe that they can succeed.
With education, I will achieve my bachelors to become a teacher, however, I aim to get
my masters and hopefully after a long time of teaching and study a doctoral/ PhD degree. The
reason for this is that I want to be the best teacher educational wise for my students so they can
learn to the best of their ability. I will try my hardest to volunteer with as many programs I can
that helps the school and the community I am involved with such as helping special needs
children and regular education children, organizing events or after school activities, and tutoring.
With employment, I want to work my way up to where I want to be as I want to get as much
experience as I can.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 5
References
Parkay, Forrest W. (2013, 9th Edition). Becoming a Teacher. Page 140.
