Craig Connor’s Philosophy of Education
Craig Connor
Mount Vernon Nazarene University

PEL6003 History and Philosophy of Education
October 1st 2011
Dr. Stephen Metcalfe

Philosophy of Education
When developing a philosophy of education, it is important to take into account student diversity, student learning, curriculum, classroom management, and technology. In the following, I will explain my ideas in these areas and how I will implement them in the classroom.
Student Diversity
As a future educator, I look forward to teaching children with diverse backgrounds. No classroom is made up of students who are all identical. I will encounter gifted children and ones with special needs. There may be boys and girls who are culturally different and from dissimilar economical circumstances.
Gifted students are challenging because they grow impatient about material that doesn’t interest them. Therefore, it is important to modify lessons to accommodate their needs. For example, I will add further criteria that appeal to each of their interests.
Just the opposite will be done with special needs children. Many times I will need to modify lesson criteria in order to fit their needs. It is best to limit their written work and set achievable objectives for them. When they do reach these goals, I will praise them for what they’ve done.
It is a definite possibility that I will teach children of different cultures throughout my career. With that being said, I understand the importance of being aware of various cultural differences. Ignoring these disparities will only cause problems in the classroom. Therefore, I will make it a point to value these differences and teach my students to appreciate one another.
It is also critical to avoid gender bias in the classroom. For example, I will show equal attention to both the boys and the girls. For group projects, I will make sure there is a mixture of genders rather than all boys or all girls working together.

Unfortunately, many children may come from a background of poverty, so I will not expect my students to purchase a lot of materials. When possible, I will use my own funds to purchase various materials that my students can share as a class.
Student Learning
I believe that children can learn best when they are given the opportunity to be active learners. In my own experience, I grasp knowledge that I am shown rather than simply told about. For example, it will be much more productive to take my class outside to teach the concept of the seasons rather than informing them in the classroom. This will enable children to make a connection by actually seeing and touching elements of nature instead of being lectured and coloring a picture about it.
I believe in much of the humanistic theory such as the growth perspective. Human beings are propelled to reach higher levels of development, and given the right conditions; they will flourish (Brown, 2004). During my teaching experiences I noticed that most schools do a tremendous job at making students feel welcome. This is essential because a child who feels threatened will not achieve full potential. I will establish a welcoming classroom where disrespect is not tolerated.
All of my students will be accepted and feel free to speak and make choices. I will build genuine relationships with all of my students.
Curriculum
Curriculum is often referred as the courses offered at school. However, it is so much more than that. Everyone involved in these children’s lives must work collaboratively to figure out what is best for them. An effective curriculum must be centered on the learner. It’s not only the lessons, but also how we teach them. I understand that standards need to be followed, but curriculum does not need to be dry. It should be one that is refreshing, fun, and makes each day a memorable experience for the students rather than something they dread.
Classroom Management
I realize that in any classroom disruptions are inevitable. However, an effective classroom management plan will cut down discipline problems. Rules and consequences must be established from day one. Students quickly assess the situation in each class and realize what they will be allowed to get away with (). Once disruptions are allowed, it will be very difficult to gain back control.
Everyone should be treated equality whether it is the best or the worst student. If they both misbehave than they will receive the exact same punishment. It is important to note that these must be fair consequences. The class is more likely to rebel against a teacher who is not reasonable.
I will hold high expectations for my class and communicate it to them. For example, I may say, “I expect you to raise your hands before speaking. Also, I expect you to respect one another’s opinions and listen to what each person has to say().
Consistence is key in order to maintain class respect. Student’s will not take me seriously if I am lenient one day and extremely strict the next. I will stay consistent in my mood and discipline procedures in order to always stay in control.
Commitment to Technology
In today’s time, it is important to implement technology in the classroom. Almost every job in the world utilizes technology. Obviously, I will not have my students staring at a computer screen all day; however, I will appropriately use technology to supplement lessons. For example, I will help expand my students’ vocabulary by having them input written work in a word processor and use its thesaurus. Also, I will help develop their researching skills by having them explore what happened on the day they were born. There are numerous ways to productively use technology in the classroom and my students will be exposed to it everyday.
Conclusion
After reading my philosophy, you should have a sufficient understanding of my thoughts on these important areas of education. To review, I realize that I will encounter various cultures and I will embrace these differences and set an example to value and appreciate all people. Respect will be a primary rule in my class and along with my welcoming attitude help students feel comfortable and ready to learn. They will experience exciting lessons and look forward to attending my class each day. In addition, all students will be valued and treated fairly by me. The same consequences for misbehavior will apply to everyone and I will always remain consistent. Finally, technology will appropriately be used to supplement lessons. It is constantly growing and must be a part of students lives on a daily basis. I genuinely look forward to learning more and expanding my ideas about education throughout my teaching career.
References

Brown G., (2004). How Students Learn. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
Wong, H. K., (2004). The First Days of School. Mountain View, California: Wong Publications