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PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Philosophy of Education

Nick Ehko
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PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

Two plus two equals four. That is never going to change but how should students be
taught that? Is it with application to real life, “If you have two cookies and you get two more
how many to you end with?” Is it through counting on one’s fingers? In a digital age should it be
punched into a calculator? Is it through looking at a number line or a chart or table? Or is two
plus two equals four just a known fact that should be memorized? All of the above. There is no
one way to teach a concept to students because each student is different. So, then each student
learns differently, thus each student should be taught differently, assessed differently, treated
differently, and placed in a unique setting. I believe this to be one hundred percent true and will
be how I conduct my future classroom. I believe everyone in education plays a unique part in a
student’s journey and that with each student being different, as previously stated, the learning
experience should be unique and different for each individual student.
From teachers to parents everyone has a role in a child’s education. I believe that a
teacher’s role is to do so more than just educate. A teacher’s role is to connect with their students
to teach them in a way they understand, and that may not be the way everyone else understands.
Teachers should also embrace the role of student in the way that they should be constantly
learning and adapting to their students’ needs. In this way students at times have the role of
teacher. Students’ role by tradition is to learn and that is a big part of their role, but they are also
influencers to peers and those younger than them and at times those older. The best way to reach
students is through other students. Through groups and clubs at various schools, students’ lives
can be changed. Imagine that a teacher is the coach of a basketball team, and their students are
the players. The coach puts in the game plan teaches the players the plays and is alongside them
guiding them through practices and games. However, there is only so much a coach can do. The
players are the ones on the court touching the ball communicating with one another, helping one
another, and influencing the actions of one another. Ultimately the power to change the game is
not in the hands of the coach but the players. Just like the students hold the power of true change,
this I believe is their biggest role. As big a role as the students plays in education and schools
today parents also play a big role in their children’s education. Parents have a unique role. Some
teachers believe they play no role, but I believe that parents do not and should not play any role.
I believe they should and that they do. A student’s day starts and ends at home. Personally, I
know how important it was for me that I had a positive in my home from the moment I woke up
to the moment I went to bed. I saw what through my years in school how much of an effect
parents had on their child’s education and how crucial it is for parents to be positive and
encouraging while still maintain an authoritative atmosphere. No matter how tough or strong a
child is, everyone benefits from a positive atmosphere and an encouraging word from someone
who cares.
Although many students have similar needs, I believe that there is not just one way that
students learn. Some students may be visual learners, others maybe hands-on, and others learn
best from listening. Due to this I feel that at times a set curriculum can hold some students back.
I understand that a curriculum ensures that all the students are receiving the same information
and it makes it easier on the teacher because the lesson plans are typically laid out for them. It
also helps with state testing as students are required to take them and thus, must be prepared by
their teachers. However, because every student learns differently. I do not think it is in the
students’ best interest for teachers to be restricted to following a curriculum. Personally, I have a
sister who is an elementary school teacher and a sister in-law who is a high school math teacher,
and both feel suffocated by the curriculum at times. For example, both my sister and sister in-law
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PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

were given a certain way to teach certain concepts in math through the curriculum. Both did not
understand these “new” concepts on how to teach math and thus had to relearn how to do easy
math problems and teach their students in a complicated way how to solve and uncomplicated
problem. As a result of this, both ended up getting an infinite number of questions from the
students and at times even confused parents. Needless to say, both decided to teacher the way
they were taught and the new way which helped the students immensely in the end. This is just
one example of why I do not think teachers should be forced to follow a strict curriculum. In this
same way I do not feel as though it is accurate to assess all students in the same way. In my
experience I have found that some students just are not good test takers. They are smart kids they
just get nervous or they freeze up. Other students are great test takers and but are not good at
writing assignments or in the math setting do not have time to do homework or do not gain
anything form doing homework. It is difficult in math to find different ways to assess and
traditional testing is definitely the easiest, but students can also be assessed through homework,
projects, and in class participation. Ultimately how to assess is up to the teacher and how they
wish to conduct their class.
Each classroom is unique. Each teacher prefers a different setting, mood, and setup in
their classroom. In my experience I have found that no one way is best and depending on the
teacher and the content being taught there are different strategies and approaches to the way a
classroom is setup. In my future classroom my setup with be determined by the classes I teach.
For example, if I am teaching a ninth-grade algebra class I would like to have my classroom to
be split up into sections with four or five students in a section thus forming small groups
throughout the classroom. I once interned with a teacher who did this and he found it extremely
effective. However, I do not like this setup for upperclassmen in, say, a calculus class. I believe
that even in high school that since upper classmen are adults or close to and will soon be entering
college or the workforce they should be treated with more maturity and while I do not think that
sections is “immature,” I believe that a tradition classroom setting would suit them better and
prepare them better. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be a challenge to teach each
student differently and as they need. That is one thing that makes teaching fun, however.
Teaching is a challenge, a new thing each day to adapt and overcome. My plan is to have all the
means in my classroom to teach all types of students whether those students are visual learners,
hands on, or visual. My goal along with teaching is also to provide private tutoring for students
who need individual help I will also try to make time for students during breaks and before and
after school. Students have different needs and I believe teachers should do their very best to
tailor to these need as, after all, school is all about the students.
School is truly all about the students and I feel that all too often we lose sight of that. I
know so many teachers who just work day-to-day and just getting by to pick up the salary and
benefits of a teacher. I believe that if you went to college to be a teacher you should have a
passion for your students and the subject you are teaching because without that you experience is
going to be no good and your students will truly suffer. I have a passion for high school students
and math. I believe that I can create a unique place for my students to learn where they are all
treated equally and yet taught differently as their needs are different.