PHILOG # 6

Dallas Mondragon

Philosophy of Education

(Rough Draft)

5 July 2011

EDUC 2250

Education has not always has been a very important feature in my life. I do however now that I have become wiser, feel that teachers have one of the most important jobs to be had. They are responsible for influencing and guiding the lives of their students, be it instilling principles and ways of thinking to educating them on the history of yesterday. All students, regardless of background, racial make-up, or disability status have the ability to and right to learn and experience an education. I feel that teachers need to become conscious of the fact that not all students learn at the same speed or at the same level as their peers. I would like for my students to come to the realization that they are all significant to me. I want to be an impartial educator and behave towards each and every one of my students with consideration and even-handedness. As technology has started to play an ever increasing role in education, it is my plan to keep up with the technological advances to facilitate my students understanding of the opportunities afforded them. In today’s world, we as teachers can communicate with other educational institutions miles away. I think this new technology will help make better the quality of a well rounded education, so long as we do not completely abandon some of the old ways of learning such as the reading of quality classic books. I also believe teachers need to take the time to learn from one another. I feel that we as teachers should have adequate planning time to create new lesson plans. To be effective, we as teachers need to be willing to allow constructive criticism when given the chance. We should develop a set of connection of our peers to accept and give criticism. I think that all teachers can benefit if we are willing to learn from one another. The sharing of new and inventive ideas can only serve to give us a new perspective on an old idea.   When it comes to instructional practice, we as teachers need be willing to use an assortment of techniques in order to effectively reaching all of our students.  I believe teachers who only employ a single approach to educate tend to be ineffective compared to those willing to be flexible in the classroom.  It has become evident in recent years that they fail to reach all of their students for we know that every student learns in their own way.  Varying methods of teaching helps to foster an appealing and enjoyable environment that in turn will help students succeed.  I plan on employing a multitude of methods in my teaching, ranging from hands on to technology based.  As a P.E. teacher, I plan on keeping worksheets and tests to a minimum but I know that many schools heavily rely on them. Just as I will vary the way that I teach my students, I will also vary the way that I evaluate my student’s progress, by using several different methods, such as, direct study of my students, and possibly progression folders.  I feel students who actually feel as though they are a part of their education process will have a more open mind when it comes to their learning compared to those students that have no say in their education.  It is my personal belief that educators should direct their students in their learning, not force feed them into learning. The function of education is to facilitate students to become successful in their own lives.  We all see success in different ways and far too often the way we determine success is small-minded and unjust. Teachers need to think about what is important to their students, what really matters to them and what will be most useful to them in the real world. We as teachers must fit this together with the required content, easier said than done if you ask me.  But I believe successful teachers find ways of doing this each and every day.  I believe an effective teacher associates all learning to the real world and in doing so makes learning tangible and having an important effect on all students.  

PHILOG # 5

I'm going to react like the students I like best this week. These blogs are stupid Mister! I rush every week on Saturday to think of something useful to say that will contribute to these in my opinion unnecessary postings. As far as privilege and power go, some kids have it and some kids don't. It is a parents job to instill the will of self power and if they fail, we as responsible teachers show our students how to do that. I have lived on both edges of the spectrum and one needs to learn how to seize opportunity when it comes across. I strive to do that with my students by showing them not to see where they are but where they want to be. With will and hard work, all things are possible. I do not let my students feel sorry for themselves, I show them how through my own experience that they can achieve their dreams. I want to be a teacher because at some point in my life someone cared enough to reach out and help me. I was lost as a child due to circumstances and through someone caring my life was saved. I only hope to make that difference in someone elses life. I am going to seek a school where the children come from broken homes, where fathers are nonexistent, where jail and drugs are the norm. Why? Because too many people are willing to take the easy road and cater to the privileged. Too few are willing to put their heart and soul into the lost children.

PHILOG # 4

We as educators have to be cautious about excluding any particular category of students. I like to think that my educational philosophy treats students equally across the board, from wealthy to economically challenged, students from a multitude of ethnic backgrounds, and children with disabilities. Although people may disagree with my beliefs when it comes to severely disabled (ISP) students, my attitude on this comes from personal experience within my own family. Having a cousin that was severely disabled, I saw his need for constant medical attention that I do not feel an educator is equipped to handle. He like many other individuals in the same situation require a higher level of personal care in a medical setting. I feel we do a disservice to individuals who are in this type of situation by integrating them into the school system simply so we can, in some instances, “feel better” about ourselves for saying we practice “equal treatment.” When it comes to racial makeup, economic status, sex, or learning disabled students, I feel all students are due the opportunity to receive the same quality of education. Coming from a multicultural family, I see it as an advantage for me as I am to able to relate to a broader range of students than a counterpart from a background of a single culture. I try to teach my students to embrace their differences and not take them or themselves too seriously in that context, when we learn to laugh at ourselves and our differences, we make everyone around us feel more comfortable and more willing to accept one another. In my personal educational background, I attended schools along a wide spectrum, from “poor” so called minority schools to “rich” white schools, and I personally feel this is why I am drawn to teaching in schools where the majority of students’ families are economically challenged, as it seems in these schools many times the students form a stronger bond as they find themselves relying on one another more, somewhat like an adopted family. My core values are honesty, discipline, and fairness. With this in mind, I strive to go out of my way to make my students feel welcome in my classroom and let them know they always have someone they can turn to when in need. My students know that I am very strict yet I do my best to always be fair.

PHILOG # 3

The statement “an equal educational opportunity”  to me means that regardless of ones economic background or standing they each have the same chance to achieve the same quality of goals. When walking into a classroom, we do not ask each child to provide us with a financial statement, a portfolio, or their 401k status to determine what level of quality the education that we will deliver to them will be. It is our job as educators to teach our students up to a level that each one of them individually are capable of attaining. We are educating our students to achieve their maximum potential. The goal that I have is that everyone of my students upon leaving my program will be more than prepared to achieve success at the next level of their education or if they so choose to do immediately, their careers. I will use every resource available to me to offer such an education, including continuing to educate myself in matters that pertain to me being a more effective teacher throughout my career. When dealing with children from different backgrounds I will incorporate those differences into my classroom so as to teach all of my children an appreciation of those things in life which they are unfamiliar, things that they will undoubtedly encounter as they venture out into the real world. To assure that my students are reaching the highest level possible at their given stage of development I will use a varying degree of assessments throughout their training period with me and make adjustments to accommodate each student or group of students to insure they all reach the goals that are set at the beginning of their time within my program.

PHILOG # 2

My take on education in today’s world I feel it short changes our students in many ways. Money is constantly being taken away yet teachers are persistently being asked to do more and more with less. Our children are the future; shouldn’t we be putting more resources in place for them to succeed? We need to stop spending so much of our money bailing other countries out of their problems. How are our children expected to compete in an ever evolving and increasingly competitive global market? I know that last comment sounds very businesslike and unemotional in regards to dealing with our children but if we look at running a successful business, don’t we look into all available resources to put in that business to make it top notch? Shouldn’t we take that approach with the education of our youth? I am of the belief that all children are deserving of a high quality education at no cost to them. I want to offer all of my students the highest quality education that I am capable of providing. As a teacher it is my duty to show them and guide them to what they all have the ability of accomplishing through hard work and perseverance but this cannot be accomplished without the proper resources.

PHILOG # 1

I am not sure I understand this question at all.  The central theme I suppose of my student life prior to college was lack of interest in school as a whole. School bored me and was simply a means to play football. I maintained grades for that purpose only. Very few teachers were able to hold my interest, those who did, however, generally had my full participation and found that A's were the end result. As far as college was concerned, again I feel it is a means to an end (better career, better financial standing)