Teaching Philosophy

"The art of teaching is the

art of assisting discovery." -

Mark Van Doren
 

Teaching philosophies are like guiding principles that shape how educators approach teaching and learning. They reflect their beliefs about education and serve as a foundation for their teaching practices.

There are different types of teaching philosophies, such as Essentialism, progressivism, Constructivism, Behaviorism, and Humanism. These philosophies foster the importance of education in children and promote active learning methods and student-centered approaches varying on learner requirements. My perspective when it comes to teaching is such that as educators, we cannot be limited to one philosophy nor can we depend on a systematic doctrine within a classroom setting.

To me, teaching and learning are synonymous with each other and share a mutually beneficial relationship hence, liberal learning, and explorative approaches act as the core values I adhere to in a classroom.  A successful teacher is one who shows them the pathway, provides the necessary guidelines,  and creates a space where the learners are allowed to learn by interest, preference, and perseverance. Correspondingly, educators learn from the children each second with what they do and how they react to certain instances, each child is a chapter on a lifelong book that exists as a storyline for the educators.

 



At the heart of my teaching philosophy is the belief in fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. I recognize the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and learning styles of my students and strive to create opportunities for meaningful engagement, critical inquiry, and intellectual growth.


I view myself not only as a disseminator of knowledge but also as a facilitator of learning, guiding students on a journey of discovery and exploration. I embrace a student-centered approach that prioritizes active participation, inquiry-based learning, and hands-on experiences. By encouraging curiosity, creativity, and independent thinking, I aim to empower students to become autonomous learners who take ownership of their education.

We often compare children to flowers, yet we have not instilled the growth of a bud into a full-blown flower in the lives of these children. As a society, we have set boundaries and administered their frame of mind in a manner where they are not liberal enough to explore the process of learning on their own. My philosophy in teaching lies in a garden where the children exist as different flowers, sunflowers, roses, or dahlias they may be depending on their individual traits and learning requirements,  and we educators are the gardeners who nurture, guide and unveil the pathway to help them grow marvelously. Just like a Wax Begonia does not require sunlight to grow and Marigolds can not survive without the sun, each of the children has their own ways of learning and as educators, we must cater to them individually.

The choice of teaching philosophy depends on the educator's beliefs, values, and goals for their students. Ultimately, the choice of teaching philosophy depends on the educator's beliefs, the needs of their students, and the learning objectives they want to achieve. It's important to consider the individual strengths and preferences of students when selecting and implementing a teaching philosophy. I believe that education is a powerful tool that empowers individuals to reach their full potential. As a teacher, my role is to inspire and guide students on their learning journey, fostering a love for knowledge critical thinking consistent growth.


References - 


Loewen, J. W. (2018). Teaching what really happened: How to avoid the tyranny of textbooks and get students excited about doing history. Teachers College Press.


Brookfield, S. D. (2015). The skillful teacher: On technique, trust, and responsiveness in the classroom (3rd ed.). Jossey-Bass.

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