PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 1

Philosophy of Education

Florentino Juarez

College of Southern Nevada

EDU 201 Intro to Elementary Education

Professor Connie Chistensen

November 16, 2017

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Philosophy of Education

A teacher can never truly teach unless he is still learning himself. A lamp can never light

another lamp unless it continues to burn its own flame quoted from philosopher and poet Sir

Rabindranath Tagore. Becoming a teacher comes with great responsibility, not only to educate

your students but, as stated in the quote you must continue to want to learn and master your craft

as an educator. Teachers must research innovative ways to better instruction and learning new

subjects to teach your students takes discipline. Those who seek to continue to learn are truly

imbedded in themselves to succeed as teachers and provide a quality education to students.

My commitment to become a teacher has been followed by past experiences in my life.

Growing up, my parents and sisters have really been supportive and have encouraged me receive

a college education, so I can pursue a career of my choice. I have been fortunate to have caring

parents and many other individuals have not had the same support as me. When my sisters and I

were younger, my parents were able to get by paycheck-to-paycheck, providing my sisters and

me with the basic needs such as a roof over our heads, food, and clothing. However, as a child

there were times I do recall my parents struggling to pay for bills and having very little money

left over to buy us a new pair of shoes. In those struggling times, my parents remained poised,

kept a smile on their faces, and taught us that whatever the circumstances are, life goes on and

you must continue to work hard and keep moving forward.

My parents are my inspiration for teaching. I want to be a supportive figure for them like

my parents were for me. My focus is to teach at a Title One school in Las Vegas with a high

population of Latinos, as I feel I would be best served being a Latino male and understanding the

students culture and background. This is because, Ive been in their shoes and have gone
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Philosophy of Education

through the same experiences. After the field experience in a classroom where ideally, I want to

be working at Ive come to understand that patience, repetition and just showing students that

you care about them are the essential qualities for a productive classroom. Personally, Ive

always been a caring, hospitable person and kid at heart. My patience and having the ability to

listen carefully will suit me best as a teacher. My previous employment opportunities developing

my interpersonal relationship skills being a youth mentor will have a great impact as well.

My philosophical orientation to teaching is Progressivism. I feel it is closely related to me

as Ive always acted on my interests. My goal is to be creative with the curriculum and subject. I

want to create different learning style stations that revolves around the subject being taught. For

instance, on addition during lecture, I will have one station for basic pencil and paper, another

station will be using a computer program for those who prefer a technological approach, and

lastly there will be a station where students will use blocks to count where they can be hands one

seeing the problem at hand. Every student should have the opportunity and choice to learn how

they best interpret the material. It is the responsibility of the teacher to accommodate and

understand their students learning needs.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act, really set the stage for how I think about

schools and children. Every child is deserving of an equal education opportunity, regardless of

color, sex or disability. Because of cultural differences, teachers have undermined students who

may not seem academically promising. As a teacher, I must strive to provide the best education

to my students possible at a public school, just as any high achieving public or private school

provides to theirs.
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Philosophy of Education

In the classroom, I want to have a culture of student empowerment where they can

achieve anything they set their mind to. There will be no room for self-doubting or lack of

understanding material. As a class, we will learn to remove the phrase I cant and replace it

with I do not understand, I am confused about, and say, I need some extra help/extra time

with (Parkway, 2010). During field observations, I saw students taking lead of class instruction,

a powerful way for students to demonstrate their knowledge and teach each other. As a teacher, I

will be flexible and offer choices based on my students learning styles. With time passing, by I

would be able to adjust and tailor lessons to what has been most effective for students. Im

looking forward to a diverse classroom, as everyone will be learning new things about each

other.

During lessons, I would be able to incorporate teaching opportunities of the different

cultures presented in the class, as students will not only be learning about other cultural

backgrounds they will have the opportunity to learn more about their own as well. Student

assessment will be evaluated one way by testing the school provides and in the classroom. By

taking time to converse with students, you will hear some feedback whether they are

understanding the work or need additional help. I am a firm believer in little homework, a couple

of problems to take home and practice to see if students are grasping the material in class is a

way I will assess my students knowledge of the material. Calling out on students during lecture

not only assures you whether they are listening but always give you a sense of how much they

are learning. Depending on the responses and time together, as a class, youll be able to gain

knowledge on who may need more one on one instruction to assist and learn the material.
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Philosophy of Education

In order to be a successful teacher, you must possess certain qualities that only some

people have. Being patient is a vital one, regardless of the grade you teach your patience will be

tested. If you are not listening to your students, as a teacher, you are not making your job easier.

With listening, youll be able to build rapport with student assuring them they are being heard

and noticed. My previous jobs have led me to build confidence in working with youth and

experiencing situations that some teachers wait to experience in the classroom. Recently being

hired as a substitute teacher it will only enhance my experience in a classroom in the role of an

instructor. With being a substitute, I will be able to see the functions of a classroom and interact

with students. Currently, Im working on my Associates Degree in Elementary Education.

Before transferring to either Nevada State College or UNLV, I will have had passed the Praxis I

exam. With appropriate time to study and prepare for the Praxis I exam, passing results will lead

to entering the desired schools education program. Similar steps are taken approaching my

Bachelors Degree as I will have to have completed the Praxis II exam. By completing the Praxis

II exam before graduation only soothes the transition into a classroom. Once Im a licensed

teacher and in the classroom, I would like to continue and either purse my Masters in Elementary

Education or get a ESL endorsement to teach ESL.

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Reference

Parkway, F. W. (2012). Becoming a Teacher 9th Edition. New York: Pearson Education.