Purposes of Education

I believe that the purpose of education in the lives of students is to provide them with a knowledge base that will give them the necessary tools to succeed in our world. For example, in my classroom I seek to foster students’ development of critical thinking skills, personal confidence, academic excellence, and tolerance. Education should not only serve to prepare students for the working world but should also instill a passion for learning that students will carry with them throughout their adult lives. A good education provides children with the tools that they will need to thrive in life.

In school, children are educated not only in academic subjects such as reading and writing, but also are taught how our society works as a whole. The knowledge children gain through school can help them to be productive members of society and help them to grow into kind and tolerant adults. Education also serves to enrich communities by preparing children for various types of occupations. A good education encourages creativity within all students and works to create considerate community members.

Educating our youth is a key component in producing a healthy society. Teachers should stress the importance of equal rights for all people and encourage students to be accepting of all cultures. Teaching equality in the classroom will help children feel safe and assist them in achieving their highest potential.

Cognitive Development and Learning Theory

I believe that nature and nurture both play a roll in the cognitive development of every child. I think that children should be taught through a variety of methods in order to ensure that they will retain the information presented to them. Each child is different and comes from a unique background. Teachers should assess students in a variety of different ways (written tests, oral tests, presentations, etcetera) and adjust their curriculum according to their audience, taking into account their students’ unique learning styles.

I closely identify with the constructivist approaches to education theorized by Piaget and Vygotsky. I believe that knowledge is socially constructed in interactions between teachers, students, and the learning material. I work to serve as an organizer and guide to support children in the learning process. It is extremely important to provide opportunities for students to collaborate on learning activities and I incorporate into my curriculum a significant amount of group work and time for students to interact with one another.

Developmental Goals

I ascribe to the universal pattern of children’s cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget. I also believe that Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences can be utilized in order to effectively teach students with a variety of learning styles. I employ both of these theories when educating my students in order to provide effective instruction.

One of my personal goals is for every student to recognize the value in all people and for them to treat others with respect, regardless of their gender, race, culture, economic background, physical appearance, religion, etcetera. In addition to this I want to instill a desire in my students to continue to pursue knowledge on their own, outside of the classroom and throughout their adult lives.

Motivation

I believe that students are motivated when they are presented with realistic goals and are able to see the direct results of their achievements. My primary strategy for motivating students is to look at each child as an individual. I meet with their parents or guardians and try to establish what type of life they have at home in order to adjust my teaching to their needs. I also group students together while completing assignments in order for them to learn from each other and share their unique perspectives and cultural backgrounds.

I engage students by designing exciting, hands-on lesson plans and explaining how each lesson I teach is relevant to their lives. I think that it is important to keep student’s attention and make learning fun so that they will be more interested in participating in my lessons.

Differentiated Instruction and Student Diversity

I feel that it is imperative to adapt one’s instruction to meet the needs of each learner in the classroom. I address student diversity by supplementing my lessons with instructional practices that tailor to the individual needs of every student in my classroom. Following Vygotsky’s assumption that interactions with adults and peers in the zone of proximal development can help children to move to a higher level of functioning, I provide ample opportunities for students in my class to work together in groups. By supplementing my curriculum to suite the needs of every student in my class I foster a caring and flexible environment that is equipped with the tools necessary for ensuring student success.