Teach What We Expect of Ourselves
Philosophy is the discipline concerned with questions of how one should live, otherwise known as ethics. Every definition of philosophy is controversial mostly due to it being a method, rather than theory. Its investigations are based upon rational thinking. Education means 'to draw out', facilitating realization of self-potential and latent talents of an individual. A school is a place where students can realize their own individuality and draw on that from what they see around them. The two are like fire and water, yet when put together develop a sense of who I can be as a teacher. I plan on teaching first or second graders. My philosophy of education revolves around a number of things such as ethics, morals, values, and ultimately individuality. I am a strong believer of teaching to the child not to the class. I believe before becoming a teacher I must know exactly who I am. Our sense of identity is as fundamental to our existence, as acknowledging that each child has a different identity is essential to existing as a teacher.
Ethics is a major branch of philosophy, encompassing right conduct and good life. It is way more than just knowing right from wrong. The question is how does this play a part in defining me as a teacher? Ultimately I believe even seven and eight year olds have a good sense of what is right and wrong. This sense is knowledge given to the children before they get to you. Whether it may be family, culture, or just society that instills personal ethics it is the teacher who guides them through the trials and tribunes of everyday behavior. Ethics education is about recognizing the real power of one’s innate ethical sense and how it influences our behavior. In some ways I will have to use my ethical beliefs to teach children how to acknowledge their own power and how to handle them. Along side of ethics are morals. Most of the morals that children learn, they learn by watching people around them. They...