The following is an interview conducted relating to a k-12 teacher pertaining to his worldview and basic philosophical principles. The interviews involved his believe on what makes him a teacher and his philosophical believes and principles as a teacher. Eight questions were asked where subject remarks was analysed on every question; providing description of the educators role, including connections to educational concept and finally making overall conclusions regarding the teacher. Following this, below are the question asked ;
- As a teacher, what is your philosophy basis of education?
In my opinion, the philosophy basis of education refers to the field of applied philosophy which promotes specific education philosophy that examines the meaning and goals of education. It’s the problems that I encounter every day in my field of teaching where the subject matter is education and my methods of teaching. Simply, my philosophy basis of education is concerned with the sense of concentrating with forms, aims, results or methods of education process in order to give the best education to my students. To me, education is not only mere books and schooling but to learn everything that makes my students great persons. Basically, education never ends.
The subject remarks here were based on the teacher’s intentions of making the best out of his students. The role of educator/teacher is to provide quality education to his students through provision of the best teaching strategies and methods.
- What are your main philosophical principles in teaching
I have five principles in education; knowledge, method, individualism, socialization and morality (Hicks). As a teacher, the view of a teacher in knowledge should be an expert in the field of his teaching. Teachers should be experts in the method of teaching, learning and thinking. Individualism states that teachers should act as guide, motivator, facilitator and cheerleaders. They should socialize in as group leaders and act as facilitators. Finally, teachers should act as experts in morality. That’s my philosophical principles in teachings.
The subject remarks here were based on principles of teaching basing on interviewee perspective. The teacher’s role is to ensure that he follows all the principles as stipulated to ensure better learning environment. This is however connected to education concepts of providing the best education to students. I therefore conclude that the teacher follows has strong philosophical principles of teaching.
3. What can you give as your philosophical statement on principles of teaching
The best statement I like telling people to use is to begin with the students as the main interest in their profession and then with their learning. As an educator, I have observed several students and I have being involved with different teaching lessons. I have seen many radically transformed while others remained relatively un-transformed. From my contact with the students, I have learned a lot and I feel that, as a teacher, individually as well as collectively, every teacher need to apply his or her intelligence or creativity to make a difference in student’s lives.
Similarly, the subject remarks here were based on principles of teaching and stamen to make this principle more firm basing on interviewee perspective. The teacher’s role here is to act as guidance in teaching which is however connected to education concepts of acting as a personal guidance to students (Spirkin). I therefore conclude that the teacher loves his work and being a teacher for a long time as he stated, he has learned to always provide students with the best guidance.
- Who is a good teacher?
A good teacher is one who loves his job as a teacher. Personally, I love my work as a teacher. My first principle as stated above as a teacher is engaging students with knowledge as well as course materials which are essential for the purpose of education. I believe to give the best; you must construct knowledge and not transmit it. To construct knowledge, you need to interact with knowledge in a meaningful way in order to get access to opportunity for provision of critical reflection to students (Bertrand, 1962). I love teaching and will offer anything to give my students the best I can.
The subject remarks here were based on what makes a teacher to be deemed as the best. The teacher’s role included explaining what he thought makes him a good teacher (McNamee). This was connected to education concepts of acknowledging what is required for teachers to be appreciated as the best. In conclusion, I believe that this teacher is up to his role and never consider failure as a way to helping his students.
- How do you view your interaction with students and other teachers?
I always value my interaction with students and other teacher. I love being free with students in order to give them the sense of affection so that they can share their problems with me. Being open is very important. This entails having an open mind to student’s perspective, opening my door (office), for provision of personal guidance whenever required, and being personally open to share personal experiences in educational matters as well as in life. I believe being open help earning students respect and acts as being role model hence establishing rapport which allows for constructive and free dialogue. This also helps in building and effective and complete educational environment.
- Which religion do you belong to?
I am a Christian by faith
Religion was the basis subject remarks.
- What are some of your Christian worldview philosophical essentials as a teacher?
A worldview can be described as a set of beliefs that I personally as a Christian use to understand the world around me. I believe everyone, either Christians or non Christians has a worldview and some set of principles they use to judge what is wrong or what is right. As a Christian and a teacher, I believe that my world view forms basis at which I interpret reality. My world view is a lens through which I look at the world around me and that shapes my moral principles. My world view therefore affects what I believe concerning God, educational requirements, environmental concerns and other important values in schools. As a teacher I believe I should respect all students regardless of their religious beliefs and teach them the best morals to live a God fearing life.
The subject remarks here were based on impact of religion philosophical where the teacher’s role is to ensure that his religion does not affect his responsibility as a teacher.
- What is your perspective on improvement in education and technology on education?
Technology is the future of everything. In my perspective, technology is the most marvelous thing mankind has come up with yet. Technology has propagated so many things in education such as use of computers to make teaching and learning easy among other ways. Comparing modern times to the olden days when technology had not had such a big impact as it has now, life would be quite difficult. It is hard to imagine life without my mobile phone, iPod, laptop computer and the internet. With my mobile phone, i can communicate directly to anyone at any time i wants to, with my iPod i can store so much class information on such a small digital device and my laptop, capable of so many tasks such as creating documents, storing my students information, browsing the internet for more information and do so much more. The internet is the source of all information, and I believe technology is bound to make the future education a better.
REFERENCE
Bertrand, R. (1962). History of Western Philosophy and Its Connection with Political and Social Circumstances from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd.
Hicks, S. (n.d). Philosophical Foundations of Education. Retrieved from
http://www.stephenhicks.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/hicks-educ-605-booklet-8-5-9-09.pdf
McNamee, S. (n.d). Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Methodology. Retrieved from
http://people.uncw.edu/mcnamee/teaching_philosophy.pdf
Spirkin, A. (n.d) . Philosophy as a World-View. Retrieved from
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/spirkin/works/dialectical-materialism/ch01-s02.html
