Personal Curriculum/Educational Philosophy Statement Essay

In this paper I have written regarding my educational philosophy. It answers the questions: Why I teach? Also indicating what personal philosophies I follow. How I teach? Which states the approach towards curriculum that I believe in. Lastly, What I teach? Which connects more to my personal belief in the classroom. Teaching is not for everyone but when you love what you do, it can be a rewarding and exciting profession. My philosophy as a teacher has always been to preserve the idea that the young minds sitting before me are the future citizens of our community. I see my responsibility as a guide to my students so that they may grow towards the development of their own independence and success with good judgement, patience, and vision as they become the leaders of our next generation. I feel that it is the responsibility of the teacher to get to know everyone of their students, their weaknesses and their strengths. It’s also important to build a personal trust. This trust leads to a successful mentorship with the learner. My approach towards education and curriculum is one that is less rigid and technical. I prefer one that is humanistic. This approach includes lessons based on life experiences, group games, group projects, artistic endeavors, dramatizations, field trips, social enterprises, learning and interest centers, and homework and tutoring stations ( or corners). These activities include creative problem solving and active student participation. They emphasize socialization and life adjustment for students, as well as stronger family ties and school – community ties (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2013, p. 7). I feel that that in education more than one personal educational philosophy is required. A teacher needs to discover what philosophy or philosophies work in today’s classroom. This needs to be dependent upon the teacher and on today’s society. Times are constantly changing and evolving. I incorporate essentialism, perennialism, and progressivism, with a bit of realism and idealism to challenge my students as individuals and productive members of society. In all, I aim to educate my students, to cultivate intellect, to promote the intellectual growth of the individual, to educate the competent person, and to promote democratic social living (2013, p. 48). The starting point in curriculum is also your philosophy. In realism, realists view the world in terms of objects and matter (2013, p. 32). In idealism, learning is a primarily intellectual process that involves recalling and working with ideas (2013, p. 31). People can come to know the world through their senses and their reason. The goal for my students is to have complimenting dimensions, a strong individualistic nature that works and plays well with other members of society. My educational philosophy aligns with the philosophy of both my personal and professional life. It affects my attitude, influences my decisions, and directs my missions with others. My impact on youth through my years of teaching has proven to be successful; subsequently, I believe my philosophy is a successful â€Å"formula. † I look forward to molding well-rounded young adults that can perform in any situation under any circumstances. I believe the impact that I have made within the educational community, and look forward toward opportunities to continue to make in this area, is that of good judgement, patience, and vision that at one time other adults taught to me.