Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 1

Philosophy of Education

Skyleur Peterson

EDUC-2100-01 Practicum in Teaching

Dr. Tracie Pollard

27 April 2021
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Philosophy of Education

William Shakespeare once wrote, “To be or not to be. That is the question.” Throughout

my educational and life experiences, I didn’t quite know what or who I wanted to be, or what I

truly believed. One thing I was sure of, however, were the names of the people who pushed me

to find out. They were, and still are, life’s greatest teachers. Through them, I have been able to

identify which characteristics comprise a good teacher, as well as those that do the exact

opposite. I know that a powerful teacher is one that teaches with the heart in mind, one that

establishes a sense of community and belonging, and one that provides an abundance of support

and encouragement. These three qualities helped shape me into the person that I am today. After

examining traits of my former teachers, recognizing my own strengths, and developing personal

opinions about teaching, I have determined what I am going to be. I am going to be an educator.

There are three educators that have made the most dramatic impact on my life and are

the images I picture when I think about all the qualities that make a teacher great. The first

teacher is one that I had at the elementary level, and the other two I was blessed to have

throughout my college experience. My fourth-grade teacher was one that pulled me up onto my

feet no matter how many times I fell. I believe he was the first to indirectly teach me about the

importance of perseverance. Not only did he push me to do my best, but he never did give up on

me. School has always been something I’ve struggled with, ironically enough, and he recognized

that much earlier than anyone else. He always made himself available when I needed help and

was in constant contact with my family. The learning environment that he provided was fun and

airy, joking around and calling me by my honorary nickname, “Skeeter”. Something I will never

forget. He is someone I strive to be like in my own classroom someday. The second teacher was

my primary instructor throughout my first Associate Degree in Exercise Science. Her enthusiasm
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and love for the subjects that she taught kept me motivated and excited to come to class. She was

always someone I could talk to, which was vital when I was feeling very unsure about my

educational path at the time and remained supportive throughout my eventual change to

Elementary Education. I strive to be as passionate as her. The third teacher, my current primary

instructor, is what I would call “the icing on the cake.” She is one of the most dedicated, kind,

and understanding women I have ever been able to work with. There has never been a time that

she wasn’t right by my side to challenge me and help me at the same time, and she taught me

how to recognize and praise my strengths. The opportunities that she provided both inside and

outside of each class, as well as her teaching strategies, allowed her students to view the world in

a very realistic point of view, and opened many doors to more broadened horizons. I strive to be

as confident as she is. All three of these educators carry qualities that I hope to merge into my

own educational agenda.

There are many things that continue to fascinate me, but none as much as the mind of a

child. I am drawn to the innocence, the curiosity, and the pure resilience. It is something that I, as

an educator, intend to nurture. Children are very powerful vessels of life, and they have

everything to do with our future. Witnessing first-hand how important the cycle of teaching and

learning is to a young mind, I want to be sure that my future classroom is student-centered. It is

so important to me that my students find success in all forms, and that I provide a wide variety of

experiences, instructional approaches, and support strategies that will address all types of

learning needs and interests. The environment in which they will learn will act as the third

teacher, promoting relationships, communication, exploration, and collaboration above all else. I

believe that I, being as adaptable and flexible as I am, can be a strong asset to the success and

well-being of each one of my students, as well as my cohorts in education.