Sunday, December 5, 2010

My Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy is one that will continue to evolve as I gain more knowledge and experience in the world of education. As of today my philosophy towards education is the following:

My philosophy towards education incorporates technology and teaching skills that are differentiated and applicable to the global job market. This philosophy and its methodology is a proactive leap forward that will keep our educational system at the top of the world. I feel it is time for our concept of education to evolve to fit in an ever-changing world. The old concept of rearing up young people, teaching them good manners and habits, while cultivating qualities of personality and thought is not a completed process. This philosophy on education involves collective learning activities, online discussion groups, computer-based research, and convivial list servers while engaging students in activities that prepare them for tangible places in a global economy. In American classrooms we should celebrate diversity of learning and develop curriculum and assessment that models differentiated instruction to all.


Thursday, December 2, 2010

Professionalism

Just a few days ago my professor asked our class the following question: "What has surprised you the most this semester about teaching as a profession? My immediate thought concerned professionalism! I believe the manner in which I approach my future profession is the most important part of developing my teaching philosophy. Without professionalism I will be unable to gain the credibility needed to share my teaching philosophy with other educators.

During my observations this semester I have witnessed a lack of professional dress code and evidence of a poor professional attitude that some educators approach their job with each day. The appearance of these two attributes in my future career would handicap my ability to apply my philosophy. I recall the advice of my father when I interviewed for my first job, "dress for the job you want in 10 years, not the one you are interviewing for today."

During my job as a financial planner I helped many adults plan for retirement, this was an important task and one that garnered my clients trust. As an educator I will be entrusted with something of greater importance, a young child's future! The attitude and manner of professionalism that I approach my job with is the most important part of my philosophy.