PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATIONJessica J. McCrea

My name is Jessica McCrea, and I am a student at Claflin University located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. My philosophy of education is to educate as many people as I can until all of my knowledge is shared.

One of my strengths is my ability to relate and help improve students’ issues on a professional level. I believe that this is one out of my many qualities that I possess that makes an effective teacher. Two things that I hope to accomplish as an educator are (1) help students grow; (2) use effective teaching techniques; (3) and make students enthusiastic about learning.

To accomplish these things, I will apply the proper educational theories and use specific teaching strategies based on what research has proven to be most effective.

In order to help students grow, one must thoroughly know his/her students. From my previous experience with the Upward Bound Program and the Boys and Girls Club, I was able to get a feel of the struggle and situations that some students in poverty experience. To me, this is the first step to helping students grow. When assigning projects, I will use assignments and projects that students are able to relate to and in which they are able to participate. As a teacher, I will show sensitivity to students who aren’t able to have certain materials, due to financial difficulties, by assigning projects that could be done with materials that students already have at home. This will build a greater teacher-student relationship because it lets students know that I understand and care.

I will use effective teaching techniques that will mold students’ way of thinking. In doing so, I will measure students’ cognitive levels through different forms of tests. In my classroom, I will use short answer tests that encourage students to think critically. I will use selected response tests to encourage students to use the process of elimination. I will also use essay tests that measure students’ understanding by allowing them to discuss and explain related ideas pertaining to the lesson plan.

To get students more enthusiastic about learning, I will use a teaching style that relates to the Behavioral Theory. I will use rewards and praise as motivation for students to successfully complete assignments. I will use rewards sparingly to make sure that students are intrinsically motivated instead of extrinsically motivated. Using positive reinforcement in my classroom will grasp students’ attention and engage students in lessons that are eye-catching to them.

In conclusion, I hope to help students grow, use effective teaching techniques and make students enthusiastic about learning. I hope to instill in students high achievement goals and the motivation to go above and beyond. With proper curriculum and instructional planning, students will be able to excel to endless heights. Michelangelo once said, “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” The key to success is being able to step out of the comfort zone and test the limits where all things are possible, no matter how bad things look on the outside. Educating the youth is the key in having a promising future and a well-balanced society.