Teaching Philosophy

1. Purpose of Education

Education plays a vital role in personal development and growth, equipping people with the skills and information they require for success in life and the labor market. Education provides the foundation for social and economic movement, enabling students to acquire better opportunities that streamline their prosperity and be efficient contributors to society. Education offers openings for students to improve their circumstances and make informed choices.

1. Role of a Teacher

Teachers can be described using analogous terms, such as ‘builders’ and ‘facilitators’ because they are responsible for providing guidance and direction. Teachers must help students understand the subject matter while encouraging them to think critically and creatively. Likewise, teachers must offer a platform where students are free to fail, as failure is a learning opportunity. My job encourages a passion for learning and critical problem-solving, not just information transfer.

• Beliefs about Children

I assume every child is born with potential and can become extraordinary if given the appropriate care. Children are honest human beings, and if they are adequately led, they can achieve their goals. I also assume that teachers and parents must come together to assist in developing the child because the facilitation helps students tap their potential and succeed in all aspects of life.

1. Ethical Responsibilities of a Teacher

Teachers have an ethical responsibility to respect the uniqueness of every student and his/her objectives. One must provide a climate for students to pursue their interests, even if they do not follow the more common scholarly routes. A teacher has a moral duty to assist students in exploring their interests without setting overly ambitious standards.

1. Instructional Decisions from Developmental Domains

Instructional decisions must be consistent with individual students' developmental levels and instructional needs. Teachers should modify instructional methods to meet diverse learning styles and levels of development.

1. Mission to Promote Positive Change

My principal focus is to inspire students to become critical thinkers, Trailblazers, and responsible citizens after transitioning to the broader world. I wish to inspire students to learn throughout their lives and to become productive members of society.

 

Part II: Narrative Description of My Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy of education is based on the belief that education is essential for personal growth and learning skills responsible for economic and social mobility. I consider education to be a process that enables learners to be lifelong learners capable of coping with the demands of society and the workplace. It is through education that individuals not only gain knowledge but also discover how they can optimally serve the society that they are in. In this sense, education is not an issue of knowing facts alone but also of developing critical thinking, compassion, and social awareness.

The role of the teacher is to serve as a guide and facilitator in this learning process. Teachers are not mere providers of information but facilitators who guide students to discover and learn new things. Teachers should provide guidance without spoon-feeding so that there is a culture in which mistakes are viewed as opportunities to learn. This way, students are taught to be resilient and think independently, thus acquiring essential academic and life skills outside the classroom.

Children are curious, and when they're guided in the right direction, they can do incredible things. As a teacher, I understand that I must adapt how I teach to meet the individual needs of each student. That involves understanding that each child will learn differently and have different backgrounds and experiences, and it's my job to help them feel extraordinary and flourishing. As Vygotsky's sociocultural theory states, learning is effective when the students are guided by the more competent people they consider as their pillars (Nurfaidah, 2018). Not only am I required to transmit content, but I am also expected to make students' social and emotional development through encouraging interactions and supportive feedback.

Ethically, teachers have an obligation to the students to respect the autonomy of the students. Every student brings his or her aspirations and goals to the classroom, and teachers must ensure that they are honored, even if they differ from conventional education goals. Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) theory addresses the need to guide students through their education without imposing predetermined expectations (Nurfaidah, 2018). Teachers must know when to nudge students out of their comfort zones and push themselves and when to allow them to explore deeper into their interests and passions.

My pedagogy is also based on the work of John Dewey, who was adamant that education had to be based on experience. Dewey's belief that education needs to be integrated into everyday experience resonates with my belief that learning is optimal when contextual and goal-oriented (Sadker et al., 2022). Lev Vygotsky's focus on social collaboration and the Zone of Proximal Development has also inspired me to learn how to support my learners best. Vygotsky's scaffolding theory, in particular, guides me in designing my teaching practices, giving the students only the level of support required to carry them toward their new levels of understanding without taking over their learning process (Nurfaidah, 2018).

Ultimately, my teaching philosophy is a living document that evolves with me when I look back at my practice and that of my students. Reflective practice, a fundamental belief of both Dewey and Vygotsky, is central to my growth as a professional. I can alter and update my practice by constantly evaluating my pedagogy and soliciting feedback from students and fellow professionals. Constant reflection guarantees that I remain attuned to the ever-evolving nature of the classroom and develop as an educated professional.

To sum it up, my teaching philosophy is committed to fostering independent, thoughtful, and socially responsible learners. By reconciling student autonomy and applying educational theories like Dewey and Vygotsky, I aim to build a learning environment that allows students to fulfill their potential. As I continue as an educator, I will use my philosophy to guide my thoughts and inform my professional growth.

Eva Green