Kaitlyn's+Philosophy+of+Education

Kaitlyn Kutchko's Philosophy of Education

 The education students receive throughout their lives helps them develop and grow into a well-rounded person. Also, education provides students with a chance to obtain a vast amount of knowledge in many different subjects. As students learn about different subjects, they can plan for their future and decide what they would like to do with the rest of their lives. As a future educator, I believe it is my job to put students on the right path, so they become productive citizens in our society. I also believe that it is my job to encourage students and show how learning will make a positive impact on their lives.

 Depending on interests, background, and beliefs, each student has a different learning style that I will accommodate to while teaching. Some students learn best directly from the teacher, some by their peers, and some by practicing themselves. For example, one lesson may be taught by taking notes and showing examples, while the next lesson may be a group activity reviewing what was taught the day before. Homework is a great way for all students to review the lessons taught in class because it shows the students and teacher what each individual student needs to practice. Also, homework shows the teacher what the class needs to work on as a whole. Along with homework, tests, projects, group activities, and note taking are all learning strategies that will help students learn the material in different ways.

 Although I believe all the philosophies of education must be used to build a well-rounded student, essentialism is the philosophy that goes along the most with my methods of teaching. All students need to learn a critical core of knowledge and skills before they learn anything else. For example, a student must learn math before becoming an engineer, a bank teller, or even a cashier. If students did not learn the basis of math, they would not be able to partake in many different opportunities. Logic is the branch of philosophy that best describes my philosophy of teaching. Although group work and lectures are a primary source in learning, tests, quizzes, and practice problems are the most effective when learning a certain subject matter because it gives the students and teacher feedback.

 While having a close relationship with students, by guiding them down the right path and teaching them a critical core of knowledge, I will also have a close relationship with the community, parents, teaching colleagues, and administration. The community should be well informed on what is happening in the school district they live in because they reside in the district and have a right to know what is being taught in schools today. The relationship between parents and teachers must be close because if the parents are not clued in on what is going on at school or vice versa, then the student may not receive the attention he or she needs. As for the relationship between my teaching colleagues and administration, I would like to be able to share my ideas and receive feedback and ideas from them as well.