Instructional Technology Teaching Essay

Valerie Hudson 11/3/09 Instructional Technology Mr. Ehrhart T TR 9:30-10:45

Module 3: Philosophy of Education Teaching is a special calling and is not suited for everyone. Since I was little I have always aspired to be teacher, maybe because I do want to follow in my mother’s footsteps, but I also find it to be a very rewarding career. The main reason I really want to teach is because I know that I can make a difference in someone’s life forever. Seeing a child progress and acquire new skills and knowledge overtime is very heartwarming. I know that I remember a handful of teachers that did something to impact my life and I still have memories of those times today. To be a great teacher you have to be a leader, a friend, an expert, and a mentor to your students. I feel that I know how to blend these roles into a consistent, public personality, which will make me successful at what I do in the future. I also want to be a teacher because I love working with children. Growing up I never had a “real” job I always had tons of children in my neighborhood so I would float around babysitting a variety of different kids and that’s where I gained all my experience. I also want to teach because I know that I play a huge role in molding a student’s future and I can also be constantly updated on the latest trends and ideas within school age children. I really want to teach kindergarten because I absolutely adore younger children. I feel that once you get higher in the grades kids start developing attitudes and become more defiant. I want to be in an environment with high teacher control. Also, I am a very patient and creative person. I love doing lots of hands on activities that involve bright colors and games. I also don’t

mind having to zip coats and tie shoes. The fist Kindergarten was established by Friedrich Froebel in which the children were taught using creative and sensory rich activities, which is still a trend evident in today’s Kindergartens. Froebel claimed that “children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers.” I agree with his words because they come from all different ethnicities and home lives and they need you as the teacher to guide them and show them that you care. You can teach them the material, but when you sit back and watch them work together with their peers, it’s gratifying to see their interactions and thinking skills combined to do tasks. Schools have the obligation to provide students with a safe, secure environment. School should be something that students look forward to everyday. It should provide positive energy that influences the healthy development of students. I think that the school environment helps mold an individual’s feelings and attitudes. The school should run as a community based around the physical and emotional needs of every student. School systems need to accommodate and adapt for all kinds of learners. In today’s schools I think teachers play the biggest role in student’s lives. Educators should give children the desire to learn and teach them how to use their minds and acquire knowledge while learning to be a good person. They need to be accepting of every student no matter what because every student is different and they will bring unique qualities to the classroom. Some will have learning disabilities, some will struggle, some will be brilliant, etc. Teachers need to gain the respect of students and establish positive and healthy relationships. When students know that you are there for them and you care about them you will gain their trust. Teachers also have to be extremely accommodating. I believe that all children can learn when teachers meet students’ needs by differentiating instruction. Teachers must respond to variance among learners in their classroom and vary their teaching to create the best learning experience possible.

Teachers have to adjust everything to adapt to each student so that they can be successful. I believe that teachers also play the role of mothers and fathers to some students. The home lives of all students are very different and school might be the only stable environment the student has. Teachers have to be very patient and demonstrate a positive attitude at all times. If you involve any struggles in your personal life into the classroom not only will you be infecting your own emotions and attitudes but you will be affecting every student sitting in front of you. Educators need to be enthusiastic and supportive at all times. They also need to make the students feel a sense of belonging. It’s a tough job, but at the end of the day it’s very rewarding to know that you made a difference. In our society today, education is extremely important because it gives students knowledge of the world around them. Education today has been influenced by many well known educators such as John Locke. He was an empiricist that believed all knowledge had to be taught. One thing John Locke said in the past that I really like was “education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.” To me I feel like he is saying that education builds the foundation for your future and how you take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world is how your life will end up. I personally believe that education builds the foundation for being successful in life. Education is really a social environment where students learn information from their teachers and peer interaction. The purpose of education is to develop students’ minds but also build their character so they become responsible, productive citizens. It provides students with a structured environment. Education allows students to be expressive and social with others of their own age. I believe that every student has the ability to learn and education should really be delivered in as many ways possible through technology, hands on instruction and role play.