My educational philosophy post Ed Tech!

My Educational Philosophy Education should be seen as a method to better ones self and life situation. It should not be the goal of education to teach a subject, but instead to teach a way of thinking and experiencing a quickly changing technological world. A way of thinking that is necessary in life to approach and solve everyday problems and adapt to changing technologies. Education is not a goal to be reached, but instead a process needed for life. Education should empower individuals to be better people and citizens who can interact with life in a positive manner and it should provide students with the necessary skills to observe and interact confidently in everyday life. The purpose of education is to instill in every individual the desire to be a life-long learner that seeks to better ones self first at the college level if so desired and then professionally and personally. Education should empower students to influence cultural values and real-world problems in a positive way while using proven methods, evolving changing technology and critical thinking. As the teacher, I should not just been seen as the expert in a particular field, but also as a mentor, leader, encourager and facilitator. It is my desire to develop relationships with students in which they feel comfortable interacting with me inside and outside the classroom, not just about mathematics, but anything that concerns them as well. It is my role to not only educate my students in mathematics, but to continue to educate myself by broadening my base of knowledge and skills in mathematics and technology so I may meet the increasing technological skills of my students. I will also facilitate and encourage the same continuing education with my colleagues. It is my goal to provide a learning environment in which expectations are clearly defined, yet personal differences in students are recognized. The learning environment in my classroom will provide students confidence in trying to do mathematics boldly by providing acceptance of mistakes and the encouragement to continue to try. I will do this by providing purposeful lessons and activities that are sequential and clearly defined. I will use technology to enhance the learning environment. Students are expected to give their full attention and to be open minded to the idea that they themselves can learn math. As the teacher, I will be held accountable for my students’ performance on state mandated tests and will therefore expect competency and accountability from my students to be demonstrated through different types of assessments. Education of my students should result in a student who is confident and thus motivated to meet the challenges in and outside the classroom. Students will recognize the value of education and not see it as a point to be reached, but rather a journey upon which they will continue.