I did as Amanda did, and I am sure others did as well, and hunted up my "original" philosophy of education. I felt it was a good way to start, and I sincerely hoped it was still relevant to my views today.
After careful reflection, I have decided to keep my philosophy nearly intact. I have kept my original wording, and only added minor changes. I feel my wording of 10 years ago (!) flows into the realm of technology integration without actually stating it as such. I feel it is still relevant on what I hope I am accomplishing in my classroom.
Cheryl Verkamp
Philosophy of Education
May 2003/2013
I am a
teacher, a teacher of library skills, research skills, information literacy,
and more. I am a teacher, a teacher of MANY skills, a teacher ready to help my charges prepare for their futures (not mine, but theirs!). Their futures will involve technology. That is not a "maybe" any longer.
Why does anyone become a
teacher? I want to be a teacher. It isn’t something I have known about since I
was young, a life-long dream. I only
discovered it a few years ago after spending time in my sons’ classrooms. I felt “home” when I was in school. I felt a special bond with those students
that I was assigned to help. I felt I
was really making a difference in their lives.
I want to make a difference in the lives of those around me. It doesn’t have to be a profound,
life-altering, earth-shattering difference.
I just want to make a difference.
In looking back at the teachers I
have had, many names come to mind. I
have no vivid memories of those that were mediocre. I have negative memories of those that were
bad and ineffective. Those that made an
impact on my life were truly wonderful teachers. They had high expectations of me; and they
were there for me if I didn't quite make it, reassuring me the whole way. They gave me breaks when I needed them, and
didn't when I should have known better.
They helped me learn it is okay to admit faults and mistakes, as they
were unafraid to admit their own shortcomings.
They taught me that learning is a life-long adventure that should be a
never-ending and enjoyable process. They
respected me; in return I respected them, and still do.
I
believe that all children, and adults, can learn if they are in the right learning
environment. I want to inspire
individual creativity and choice, and open their minds to the idea of endless
possibilities. I hope to prepare
students to take responsibilities for their own actions, and empower them to
make their own informed decisions, just as I was taught. I hope that those under my instruction will
achieve their fullest potential. I hope
to instill in them the notion that education never ends, that they are on a
journey of a lifetime. I hope to
recognize my limitations and get the help that I need to achieve certain goals
or perhaps the help certain students may need to maximize their potential. I will evolve as I need to, to be effective
in my role as educator, role model, and mentor.
I will be open-minded and sensitive to new ideas, practical and flexible
in my actions and thinking. I will make
a difference. Technology integration will help my students, and me, achieve these goals. With students offered a choice of tools to use, with students given projects that will be based on real-life and authentic experiences, I will help prepare my students for their futures.
I will make a difference.
