Educational Goals and Philosophy :: Teaching Education Essays

Educational Goals and Philosophy As an Elementary Education major I have learned that an educator’s job is not just to teach the student/s about basic curriculum such as reading, writing, geography, history and mathematics. However, is to also instill basic views of society into the student to create an over-all, well- rounded adult and because of this course I have developed some definite views and opinions about education and the many expectations of a teacher. During this course I have been exposed to many different views, opinions and theories concerning education and the role of the teacher, and I especially relate to the philosophical views of Rousseau. In fact, I agree with just about every aspect of Rousseau’s theory. I believe that the child is born innocent and if it is exposed to a certain environment will remain innocent. But, not all children are able to remain innocent, they may have issues at home or even personal issues that can or will corrupt him/her. This corruption may influence the child’s learning process once he/she enters into school. I also feel that students truly do have the desire to learn and know the truth and that over-all humans are good- natured. The environment that the child is exposed to however has a very high influence upon the child and how the child handles the pressures and demands of education and learning. Knowledge, in my belief, is relative. Therefore I think, this places a lot of responsibility upon the teacher. The teacher should be in control of the classroom at all times and if the teacher allows actions to go on that may be distracting to some students then those students, due to the distractions, may not do as well in this chaotic classroom environment. However, if the same students were placed in a classroom environment that was not quite as distracting and much more orderly then the same students would probably succeed at the same material that they had struggled with in the chaotic environment. Once again the learning environment is very crucial to the success of the student and depending upon each student and how the classroom in conducted this may be the deciding factor in a student’s success. Once I become a teacher I hope to conduct my classroom in manner in which my students feel comfortable and excited to learn. I hope that the material that they learn from me will be carried with them for the years ahead and this knowledge will become the solid building blocks that is used daily by a successful adult.