Why the Teacher
should teach
I believe there are two reasons why the teacher should teach. The first reason and overarching
purpose of education is to encourage the evolution of human thought. I believe
that education must prepare students for the future, ensuring that they are
best equipped to meet the demands of their careers and lives.
The second reason why the teacher
should teach is more focused: it is to guide students through the daily grind
of life. Eisner, a respected education philosopher, suggests that the best way
to educate students is to prepare them for the present - not the future. I would further that statement by saying that we need to meet each other in the present - work together with what we have and where we are to prepare for the future. In an ever complicating world, the
students have many different aspects of life going on at once, meaning that the role of the teacher becomes increasingly important. Often, the
teacher is the only adult some of these students interact with on a prolonged
basis. I believe teachers need to be leaders, mentors and role models for
students as they navigate daily life.
Who the Teacher
should teach
Teaching to a group of 25 or more
individuals is not a task that can be assumed using one philosophical approach.
I believe that it is not so important for the teacher to take on a single philosophical approach, rather, it is important to understand the background of the
student, and uncover an approach that works best for her or him. This is referred
to as a pragmatic approach - which is the interaction of humans with
changing environmental and social situations. The teacher is recognizing the
situational and relative needs of each student at any given time.
I believe that students need to
be taught how to transmit current social and cultural skills, traditions,
values and knowledge that are found in society. At the same time, I believe
they need to possess the ability to critically analyze these very skills,
traditions, values and knowledge in order to advance them as society moves
forward. Possessing these skills without analyzing them creates a static and education. Not only that, but it also harms the students by failing to equip them for the
future. Education needs to always be at the leading edge of all ideas and trends.
How and what the
Teacher will teach
Critical
Awareness
To keep true to an eclectic mix
of philosophies, I believe that the postmodernist and idealist views must be
considered together when trying to engage the students in critical thinking.
The idealism approach suggests that values are universal and absolute – that
there is a set of greater truths. While the teacher should subscribe to this,
I feel it is also imperative that there is an applicable method to reaching
these greater truths. The postmodernist approach fills that need. This approach
deconstructs all assumptions and traditions to discover the meaning and value
behind their existence. Deconstruction of the surrounding world peels back the
necessary layers that will lead to greater, universal truths. While it is an
ideal situation that such truths will ever be revealed, it is a practise that
must be applied to further evolve human thought – which is after all, the
purpose of education.
In addition to critically thinking and constantly questioning, I believe students should be given the opportunity
to become balanced observers and participants. While there is a great emphasis
on doing and participating on education, I feel there is little time for the
student to observe and analyze what is happening around them – little chance to
be aware of the energy around them. I believe great insight can be gained
through observation – insight that currently goes largely untapped. The power
of observation is crucial for self awareness and identity in students.
Mixing Traditional
Methods with Assessment for Learning
As always, it is important
for students to learn the traditional academic skills that are ever present in
education – Reading, Writing, Math, and Science. However, while these standard academics
are necessary and constant, the method in which they are taught must be ever
relevant to the student. It is essential that these traditional subjects are
taught using assessment for learning – these skills need to be taught not by
rote or memorization, but by learning and doing in ways that are relevant and
relational to the students. Assessment for learning ensures that students are
engaged and involved in the process of setting criteria which gives the students a
sense of ownership of their learning. This will aid the teacher in developing
personalized learning techniques in the classroom to ensure that students are
reaching their full potential.
When appropriate, I believe that the
teacher should teach using Non-Western ways of Knowing. The teacher should
recognise the importance of this approach for broadening students’ perceptions
of the world, as well as connecting them to local traditional and ecological
knowledge. Non-Western ways of Knowing (specifically Indigenous ways of
Knowing) should be incorporated seamlessly into Science, English and Social
Studies curriculum.
Where the
Teacher will teach
Just as I believe that methods of learning must always be dynamic and fluid to meet student needs, it's important to realize that this statement is also meant to be dynamic and fluid. I hope and expect this statement to change over the length of my career as an emblem of my own growth and learning process.
