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- Table of Contents
- Resume
- Philosophy of Education
- InTASC Standard 1: Learner Development
- InTASC Standard 2: Learning Differences
- InTASC Standard 3: Learning Environments
- InTASC Standard 4: Content Knowledge
- InTASC Standard 5: Application of Content
- InTASC Standard 6: Assessment
- InTASC STandard 7: Planning for Instruction
- InTASC Standard 8: Instructional Strategies
- InTASC Standard 9: Reflective Practice: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
- InTASC Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration
My Philosophy of Education
John
Dewey said, “Education is life itself.” I was taught the importance of
education by my father who grew up in an orphanage. While finding an escape
between the covers of books, he also found information and began to read
everything he could get his hands on, thus educating himself and finding a way
out of his unhappy world. I learned from his stories that education is an
incredible platform from which one can grow and expand. Education makes the
possibilities endless.
It was after the terrorist attacks on the American people in 2001, that I really began to understand the magnitude of importance placed on education. I read a book that was co-written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, called Two Cups of Tea. Mortenson is a former mountain climber who stumbled upon a lifetime of philanthropy as the founder of the Central Asia Institute. The CAI’s mission is to “empower communities of Central Asia through literacy and education…promote peace through education, and convey the importance of these activities globally (Central Asia Institute, www.ikat.org).” In his book, Mortenson tells about his journey as he built his first school in a Pakistani village. He started his venture pre-9/11, but it was the impact of the terrorist attacks that propelled him to speak to Congress in Washington, D.C. Mortenson advised Congress, as well as officials at the Pentagon, that the best way to fight terrorism is not through weapons of war, but through education, pointing out that “ignorance breeds hatred.” When you educate a country of illiterate peasants, you enable them to fight back against the terrorist regimes who rule them. Former republics, such as Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia, have entered into a modern world of education for all, democracy, and secular governments, showing proof of the amazing power of education.
What does Mortenson’s story have to do with my philosophy of education? Not only is education important, but more precisely, education is empowerment. I believe in empowering the youth of America through learning. I believe that as children succeed, they find pride in all that they know and understand. They need to be exposed to the worlds of our past, as well as engaged in the present, and welcoming the challenges of the future. They need to be excited about life and the often precarious balance of the world around us. Students should be aware of the various peoples and cultures with which we share a planet.
Children need to understand the past, so as they learn to adapt to a forever changing world, they not only have a concrete understanding of where they came from, but also a history of examples to build upon. Children should not only learn the facts, numbers, and rules, but also the culture, beauty, and feeling of life. They must learn that before they can think for themselves, they must first understand and then generate their own opinions and ideas. Children must learn accountability. They are the only ones responsible for themselves and their choices. As educators, we can advise, guide, and inform, but it is the choices that they make, even in the toughest of circumstances, that will define who they are and where they’re going.
The history of human civilization is full of amazing philosophers, leaders, and teachers. Students should know of these great thinkers from the past, as well as the present, so that they might take pieces of wisdom to carry with them as they move forward in life. One doesn’t only learn from their own mistakes, but also from the mistakes and accomplishments of others. It is imperative to be observant of the world around you in order to build your thoughts and identity. As educators we, in partnership with parents and the community, help expose students to the world, and thusly help to expand their minds.
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous
formation through choice of action (John Dewey).”
“To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind
must be strengthened by education (Thomas
Jefferson).”
“since problems change, then so must truth (John Dewey).”
It was after the terrorist attacks on the American people in 2001, that I really began to understand the magnitude of importance placed on education. I read a book that was co-written by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, called Two Cups of Tea. Mortenson is a former mountain climber who stumbled upon a lifetime of philanthropy as the founder of the Central Asia Institute. The CAI’s mission is to “empower communities of Central Asia through literacy and education…promote peace through education, and convey the importance of these activities globally (Central Asia Institute, www.ikat.org).” In his book, Mortenson tells about his journey as he built his first school in a Pakistani village. He started his venture pre-9/11, but it was the impact of the terrorist attacks that propelled him to speak to Congress in Washington, D.C. Mortenson advised Congress, as well as officials at the Pentagon, that the best way to fight terrorism is not through weapons of war, but through education, pointing out that “ignorance breeds hatred.” When you educate a country of illiterate peasants, you enable them to fight back against the terrorist regimes who rule them. Former republics, such as Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia, have entered into a modern world of education for all, democracy, and secular governments, showing proof of the amazing power of education.
What does Mortenson’s story have to do with my philosophy of education? Not only is education important, but more precisely, education is empowerment. I believe in empowering the youth of America through learning. I believe that as children succeed, they find pride in all that they know and understand. They need to be exposed to the worlds of our past, as well as engaged in the present, and welcoming the challenges of the future. They need to be excited about life and the often precarious balance of the world around us. Students should be aware of the various peoples and cultures with which we share a planet.
Children need to understand the past, so as they learn to adapt to a forever changing world, they not only have a concrete understanding of where they came from, but also a history of examples to build upon. Children should not only learn the facts, numbers, and rules, but also the culture, beauty, and feeling of life. They must learn that before they can think for themselves, they must first understand and then generate their own opinions and ideas. Children must learn accountability. They are the only ones responsible for themselves and their choices. As educators, we can advise, guide, and inform, but it is the choices that they make, even in the toughest of circumstances, that will define who they are and where they’re going.
The history of human civilization is full of amazing philosophers, leaders, and teachers. Students should know of these great thinkers from the past, as well as the present, so that they might take pieces of wisdom to carry with them as they move forward in life. One doesn’t only learn from their own mistakes, but also from the mistakes and accomplishments of others. It is imperative to be observant of the world around you in order to build your thoughts and identity. As educators we, in partnership with parents and the community, help expose students to the world, and thusly help to expand their minds.
“The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous
formation through choice of action (John Dewey).”
“To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind
must be strengthened by education (Thomas
Jefferson).”
“since problems change, then so must truth (John Dewey).”