The beliefs and activities of teachers and students lay out the foundation for education and its further implications. The debates about the general purpose of education are ongoing, and different communities have different opinions regarding this issue. One of the studies revealed that the consensus on a single goal of education had not been reached and that it is changing throughout times according to society’s needs (Walker, 2016).
Some views state that “academic achievement is the main goal,” while other opinions argue that acquiring a career and technical skills preparing students for future work is more crucial (Walker, 2016, para. 1). I believe that the purpose of education is to help students discover their strong characteristics and potential and employ those to become the best version of themselves and achieve future social and financial well-being.
Education starts from an early age, and the role of a teacher in the educational process of young learners is essential. Collaboration among peers and with a teacher is an integral part of learning. According to Sparks (2019), promoting cooperation can be an excellent technique for learners to think from different angles and to develop empathetic attitudes towards the opinions of others. I believe that it is crucial to integrate collaborative activities that will help the students to open up and create an environment where they will find understanding. I, as a teacher, will show full commitment to contribute to the growth and development of young children through promoting collaboration in a properly designed environment.
In a classroom environment, a teacher needs to be a leader who operates within the ethical framework and encourages students’ learning. From my perspective, focusing on caring about the students, employing fair judgments, keeping professionalism, and, at the same time, creating the feeling of unity among the learners is essential to generate the best outcomes. Another crucial element of the ethical framework that I consider is critique ethics.
Educational institution communities can have members who differ in terms of social class, race, or ability, and it is imperative to show concern and care to all of the students. As a leader in the educational field, I will integrate the progressivism theory of education. This theory emphasizes the significance of focusing on the whole child and learning “by social interaction and problem-solving” (Lynch, 2017, par. 5). I believe that through the equal attitudes towards the students and by encouraging them to learn through experiences and exploration, we can achieve mental and social growth among the learners.
Self-reflection on teaching practices also plays a critical role in education. It is essential to conduct continuous work on improving the methods that I will employ as a teacher and utilize various researches, professional courses, and other resources as a part of the teaching process. Working with students implies continuous changes because the learners grow, their preferences and expectations develop, and their needs transform.
In such a way, reflecting on the practices that I use in education will help to generate strategies for further improvement of instructional methods and activities. I believe that, as a teacher, I also need to be a learner. Learning from students, learning from mistakes, learning from colleagues, learning from experts, as well as investigating researches and newly available materials is essential.
In conclusion, education presents numerous challenges, and it is significant to be able to understand yourself as a teacher and as an individual. Creating an environment that encourages learning and collaboration, equal and fair judgments towards the students, the focus on learning from experiences, and the development of the learners’ potential are the key elements of my philosophy. Integrating continuous learning and self-reflection into the educational process also serves as great facilitators for the improvement and effective strategies’ development.
References
Lynch, M. (2017). An Ethical Framework for Leadership Practice. Web.
Sparks, S. D. (2019). Children Must Be Taught to Collaborate, Studies Say. Web.
Walker, T. (2016). What’s the Purpose of Education? Public Doesn’t Agree on the Answer. Web.