Developing a Personal Philosophy of Education
Your beliefs influence your actions. Your personal belief system – your philosophy of education – will determine what values you emphasize, how you organize and manage your class, what content you stress, and which teaching methods you use.
ln order to develop your personal philosophy of education, think about the following questions:
1-. How do you view the role of school in society? What are the purposes of education?
How do we assure that schools serve ALL students well?
2. How do you view the student? What is the student’s role in his/her educations? How do we assure that all students are prepared to assume that role?
3. How do you view the role of the teacher? How is this consistent with the above beliefs?
What are the primary responsibilities of the teacher in a society that values diversity?
4. How will you design your curriculum, instruction and classroom management so that it will best maximize the learning of the very diverse populations of students you can expect to find in your classrooms?
5. Given the diversity of families, how will you include them in the education of their children? After considering these questions, write your own personal philosophy of education. Do not write in generalities – be specific, so that your philosophy reflects what you value and hold important. At the same time, be sure that all of your ideas support what you value in education.
Consider your audience to be your future employer, so be genuine in expressing your personal beliefs.
When writing your paper specify the age/grade/subject that you want to teach. Check to see if there is a smooth transition from one idea to another. Determine a title that fits your educational philosophy. lnclude as a subtitle “My Philosophy of Education (for example, “The Drill Sergeant: My Philosophy of Education).
