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| PHILOSOPHY |
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| The primary goal of education is to prepare students for their entry into the adult world. The students must attain the knowledge and the work ethic necessary to become self-sufficient, and a meaningful member of society. The second goal of education is to develop character in each student, inserting in them respect for others and their property, and a mentality to be responsible, courteous, and humble. In order to prepare students for their entry into post-adolescent life, they must learn and understand the core subjects of education: english, math, the social sciences, and the sciences. As a citizen/member of the American society, the student must have the ability to communicate both orally and in the written form of English. A student lacking in these skills severely limits his/her self in the ways they can interact with society. The individual must be proficient in math in order to function in society. Basic math skills must be attained, and they must be attained without the help of calculators. All students should be able to add, subtract, divide, multiply, and do basic algebra without the use of a calculator. Social sciences are important in that the student must know how his/her government functions, where his/her country has come from and why it developed the way it did, and understand the mistakes made by his/her predecessors in order to not repeat them. Finally, students must attain knowledge in the sciences in order to understand the world around them. I believe that character education should be emphasized throughout the educational life of the student. Children in grammar school should learn respect for elders and classmates, and manners that they can put into practice in their everyday lives (holding the door open for someone). These actions should be rewarded when witnessed. Summarily, actions to the contrary should be corrected and the child appropriately disciplined. As the child ages, the lessons learned should be deeper and have greater meaning. Examples of these lessons are sacrifice for convictions and a love of country. As for learning and classroom management, I believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in the curriculum. Group projects, multimedia projects, research papers, book reports, and off-campus trips will play a vital role in my classroom. The best way to learn history is to understand it. In order to understand history, the student must discuss it with their peers (with guidance from the teacher) and present interpretations that spark debate and interest. History is not just dates and events, but a continuing story with interlocking plots that must be grasped to gain the greatest possible understanding. This classroom will emphasize critical thinking, not memorization. On the subject of classroom management, I believe that the teacher acts as the student's parent while the student is in the classroom. Under this assumption, I expect the student to act responsibly and show courtesy to the teacher, the other students, and any guests who may be present in the classroom. Any disruptions in class should be handled appropriately and swiftly. Extracurricular activities are an important part of any student's life. Understanding this, I will encourage my students to take an active interest in a club, sport, or fine arts program. I will not give my class large amounts of homework, and if a project is given, they will have weeks of notice so that they may prepare that project in due time. Most students are in class six to seven hours a day, and teachers have to realize that these students want and need to have lives outside of school, and endless amounts of homework do not allow them to become well-rounded individuals. Finally, I believe that the teacher must make attempts to communicate with parents. Without the backing of the parents, the teacher will not be able to handle behavioral problems inside the classrooms. On the other hand, a parent who is actively involved in a child's education will help their child to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Unfortunately, this part of education is not always under the control or influence of the teacher. |