Running Head: My Philosophy of Education

My Philosophy of Teaching
Cody Wills
West Virginia University

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Horace Mann, a pioneer of modern education, once said. A teacher who is attempting to
teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron. (Mann) I
dont want to be the teacher who passes out worksheets and sits behind a desk until the bell rings.
I want to be the teacher that brings history alive for my students and gets them excited about
learning. I want to challenge my students to bring out their full potential. I want my students to
be able to connect the history they study to the importance of being involved in the history we
make each day. In order to accomplish that, I will create a student centered classroom and utilize
teaching strategies that will not only teach them history, but will strengthen their critical
thinking, problem solving and communication skills. I will incorporate as many class
discussions as possible, and listen to my students points of view on what happened at the time
period we are discussing. I will allow the students to have some democratic power in the class
and will employ project based learning (PBL) and simulations to inspire critical thinking and
problem solving. The group work inherent in PBLs and simulations will increase their group and
communication skills which are so vital to success. History is a hard subject to get kids excited
about, but I if I utilize student based strategies and help them see the connection between history
and their current lives, I will succeed in inspiring them to learn.
Curriculum is a very important aspect of teaching, and without it what need for teachers
would there be? While most curriculum is mandated and tied to high stakes testing, I will teach
the curriculum in a way that ties it real world issues and helps my students question what they
had previously perceived about the world we live in. As an educator I will adapt my curriculum
to benefit all my students, not just the ones going to college. In todays society being a global
citizen in key to being a well-rounded person. Because I view this as such an important aspect I

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will give my students the knowledge of what is going on around the world and how it will affect
each member of our society. For example simply asking the question What happens when there
is turmoil in the Mideast? can start an entire discussion on gas prices, war, and governmental
problems in the Mideast. Not only will my students learn about real world historical issues, but
in doing so they can come up with methods of resolving problems that they will be able to use in
life whether they go to college or not.
Social Studies content lends itself to a variety of teaching and learning methods. I will
use project based learning and simulations so my students could experience history and make
applications from what they learned to their present and future societies. I will take my students
on virtual field trips using one of many technical educational apps available. There are several
social studies apps that involve students in history, politics, ecology, and other topics that help
them become global citizens. I would challenge my students to connect the past with the present
and the future no matter what we are studying. When they can apply what they know to a new
situation, they will understand why history, civics and geography matter.
The ultimate goal of education is to prepare students to be productive members of
society. They should, after graduating, be able to succeed in college or the workplace with the
knowledge and skills they learned in school.

As an educator I hope to always take the

initiative to go the extra mile for my students. I want to take their in-class lessons and apply
them to real world scenarios that will be useful in everyday life. With the ultimate goal of
schooling being to shape students and to give them the knowledge and skill they will need to
make it in the real world, I feel that teaching them applicable material to real world issues is key.

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Keeping students excited about school, and interested in what they are studying, seems to
be a never-ending task for educators. Not all students have the desire to obtain the knowledge
offered to them, but as an educator, through positive reinforcement and caring, I can plant the
seed to help steer them in the right direction as a learner. While they are responsible for regular
attendance, discipline, and completing assignments on time, it is still my job to motivate them
and help them see the worth in the work they do in the classroom. To that end, I will encourage
my students to use what they learn in history to improve the community they live in today. They
will become involved through volunteering and special projects. In addition, students will have
opportunities to use their knowledge to compete with other schools. Ben Franklin saw the
usefulness of student involvement when he said, Tell me I forget; teach me I remember; involve
me, I understand. (Franklin) The learners role is not just to show up, behave and turn
worksheets in. The learner must be able to connect what they learn with living in the world.
One of the major goals of public schools is to graduate productive, employable citizens.
They need to be able to do more than just read, write and count. According to the Learning Skills
CSOs for this state, they also need to be able to access, analyze, manage, integrate, evaluate and
create information. They need to be able to explore new ideas, apply sound reasoning, and
problem solve. They also need to demonstrate leadership qualities, ethical behavior, respect for
others and the ability to work with others towards a common goal. (West Virginia Department of
Education) If, in addition to content, our students are going to gain all these other skills, then the
center to the educational process must be the students. I will provide them with opportunities to
learn and practice those skills through project based learning and authentic assessment. While
balance is necessary, the teacher centered model will not give them that opportunity as well as

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the student centered model. The student centered classroom gives the student not only the
content, but the life skills to use it.
Society is made up of individuals who, for the most part, have been educated in public
schools. What the school produces, after the diplomas are dispensed, makes up the society that
will support or condemn the public school systems abilities. Colleges, employers and even the
military are looking for graduates who can not only read, write and count, but also think
critically, problem solve, work with others and live responsibly. Successful schools have found
the balance between content, test scores and productive citizen skills. Instead of
compartmentalizing their knowledge, I will make sure students know the content and can apply it
beyond success on a pencil and paper test. I want to help shuttle students who can go on to be the
leaders and workers in the society which supports them, never ceasing to adapt to the students
needs.
Teachers prepare and shape the people who shape the world. It is an honorable profession
and vital to the success of individuals and our nation. I am excited to be in the field and look
forward to making a difference in my students lives.

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Bibliography
Franklin, B. (n.d.). NEA/ National Teacher Association. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://www.nea.org/grants/17417.htm
Mann, H. (n.d.). NEA/ National Teacher Association . Retrieved April 3, 2013, from
http://www.nea.org/grants/17417.htm
West Virginia Department of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved from Teach 21:
http://wvde.state.wv.us/teach21/