Introduction
For centuries, education had improved tremendously in technique, philosophies and style. Education now is a given right to everyone compared to several centuries ago that it is considered a privilege for the rich and those in authority. As education changes, the teaching process also changes. From 1:1 relationship of guru-student, master-apprentice, we come now to a group type of education.
Every educator and teacher alike should have realized his/her own philosophy not only as to serve as a guide to his own life but also a pattern for his teaching style and objectives.
And to help me shape up a life of teaching along with my student, I should establish within myself a foundation of all my teaching approaches, my own philosophy of teaching.
The following philosophies are the kind of philosophy I would be integrating, by part but not as a whole, not only in my profession as a teacher but also on my entire life.
Naturalism
To define, Naturalism, in philosophy, a movement affirming that nature is the whole of reality and can be understood only through scientific investigation. Denying the existence of the supernatural and de-emphasizing metaphysics, or the study of the ultimate nature of reality, naturalism affirms that cause-and-effect relationships, as in physics and chemistry, are sufficient to account for all phenomena.
What is natural in human and everything that surrounds him should be true in teaching. There are aspects in human nature that should be respected and expressed not suppressed by other means. Scientific approach to naturalism should bear fruit of goodness not the other way around. Naturalism should be on the forefront of every educational philosophy. Let nature teach us everything!
Pragmatism
According to pragmatism, the test of the truth of a proposition is its practical utility; the purpose of thought is to guide action; and the effect of an idea is more important than its origin.
I choose to teach practical truths that are tested and relevant to the needs of the students and timely to the present situation. Practicality, relevancy and simplicity these should be in mind in devising our approaches in teaching.
Progressivism
I will also include this philosophy due to its aim that education should focus on the child not on the subject matter and also push for a good learning environment for a child to learn. As Dewey put it on his “Democracy and Education”, he expounded that a truly progressive education needed a philosophy based upon experience, the interaction of the person with his environment.
Essentialism
To define essentialism based on the essentialist aim of education, the conservatives, or essentialists, tend to identify a desirable education with the transmission of the cultural heritage, a no-nonsense curriculum featuring the three R's (reading, writing and arithmetic) at the elementary-school level and academic studies or strong vocational or business courses in the secondary school. They stress training of the mind and cultivation of the intellect.
The essentialists have as their ultimate aim “to fit the man to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously all the offices, both private and public, of peace and war”. And education should be like these at all times.
What is essential should be the one to be taught. It agrees to the reasons of practicality. And the aim is to education the child base on his needs. Including this to my philosophy will give some relevancy on the type of subject, topics which should be more emphasized on my teaching.
Pansophism
This philosophy of pansophism presented the goal of education as the development of universal knowledge among all people, including women and children, and all nations. Comenius envisaged educated people as those who sought knowledge from all sources in order to become more like the God in whose image they were made--omniscient and universally compassionate
With this in mind I will give my philosophy a universal approach and will focus on the
spiritual aspect of education. Educational philosophy should be rooted in universal righteousness; truths of faith should be the same anywhere in the world. My teaching should be full of wisdom pointing toward the ultimate goal of nirvana of our faith.
My Own Philosophy
Using these philosophies I will enable myself to form my own personal guide in teaching. I aimed for a universal type of education, an education without discrimination of religion, race, nationality and no discrimination in sex whether male or female, gays or lesbian. An education that conforms to all kinds of culture and society. It is not “boxed” in just several philosophies but follows the ever-changing life of people. A liberal type of education founded on universal brotherhood, cooperation, respect and understanding of all kinds of knowledge.
I call this philosophy, “universalism”, thus it is the harmony of all the philosophies of man. There are no conflicts, only harmony and genuine love.
Advice, Tips, Warning and Other Discouraging Thoughts on Being a Teacher
1) Teachers are not saints, they are just……..TEACHER.
2) Everything you have learned in your pre-service education should be first unlearned and again re-learned before you can get the feeling of a teacher
3) Student of lower section are not really misfits, they are just too much expressive.
4) Don’t complain about your low salary, according to the book, it is what they call the “noblest profession”
5) If your having a dilemma between your date on Sunday and your lesson plan for Monday, don’t bother, chances are, a strong typhoon will come, flooded the whole campus and you ended up half day
6) Don’t be too serious, coz your student aren’t that serious also
7) What is teaching, terrorism; traffic and typhoon have in common? Wala, basta they all start with letter T (crack a joke sometimes, it’s a good motivation)
8) Its not true that when you become a teacher you are doomed to be a single forever, well unless you already engaged with your lesson plan
9) Don’t you ever pass in the boys comfort room, not unless you are an addict on the smell of ammonia
10) Don’t ever fall in love with your student, just wait until he/she graduated or kicked out from school
11) Love your students, the way you love your brothers or sisters in your family
12) Never believe everything that I have written here, I’m 100% sure that you’ll have your own day-to-day tragic stories when you begin this journey…..GOODLUCK!