Teaching Philosophy
Abstract “They don’t care how much we know, until they know how much we care.” My educational philosophy starts and ends with that inspirational quote and the following characteristics that I feel are essential for teachers. Teachers must show respect, value individuality, understand students learning styles and barriers ,extend themselves to find ways to engage students in learning and go the extra mile to let students know they want to join with them as partners in their own education. Effective teachers maintain and continually develop these personal characteristics in efforts to help their students connect with them, other students and whatever is being taught. In the following paper I will make references to such great educational theorists as John Dewey, Mortimer Adler and E.D. Hirsch. Although I feel that in some way all educators are influenced by these theorists, our philosophies and management styles should be our own.
Theodore Roosevelt once said “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” I believe in my heart when he made that comment he was talking about the relationships between teachers and students. Years from now when I am starting my own charter school that quote will be on the front of the building, on every wall in every classroom, on the top of every letterhead that we use for school, in the locker rooms, on the gym scoreboard….everywhere. That is my educational philosophy. It is building relationships with students that go way beyond math, science, English or whatever the subject is, it’s relationships that go deeper and way beyond the gym, the cafeteria, the principal’s office or the playground, it’s building a relationship with your students based on trust, it’s them trusting that you will do whatever is necessary for them to succeed and you trusting in their abilities. I’ll say it again “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Just take a second right now before
Theodore Roosevelt once said “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” I believe in my heart when he made that comment he was talking about the relationships between teachers and students. Years from now when I am starting my own charter school that quote will be on the front of the building, on every wall in every classroom, on the top of every letterhead that we use for school, in the locker rooms, on the gym scoreboard….everywhere. That is my educational philosophy. It is building relationships with students that go way beyond math, science, English or whatever the subject is, it’s relationships that go deeper and way beyond the gym, the cafeteria, the principal’s office or the playground, it’s building a relationship with your students based on trust, it’s them trusting that you will do whatever is necessary for them to succeed and you trusting in their abilities. I’ll say it again “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Just take a second right now before
References: Coppola, J. (2008, January 4). The Educational Theory of E.D. Hirsch. Retrieved from http://www.newfoundations.com/GALLERY/Hirsch.html Farrand, M. (2000, July 7). Mortimer Adler. Retrieved from http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/nadams/educ692/Adler.html Neil, J. (2005, January 26). John Dewey: Philosopher of Education. Retrieved from http://www.wilderdom.com/experiential/JohnDeweyPhilosophyEducation.html