REFLECTION

Compared to other philosophies such as idealism and realism, which emphasize subject
matter and universal truths, pragmatism is more focused on the idea that knowledge is a process
through which reality is continually changing (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2009).

I put a lot of weight on the fact that no child will have the same experience as another. As a
teacher, it is important for me to encourage and help the children's ways of thinking grow and change
all the time. If we look at how this relates to what I've been teaching for the past four years, I've seen
students gain new conceptual and practical understandings. The moment you see a student
understand an idea and how everything works, it is always a relief as a teacher. If there's one thing
I've learned, it's that each child handles this moment in a different way. But every once in a while, we
meet a student who learns by doing. For them, the only way to understand what you are saying is to
repeat the process over and over and over and OVER again.

This is why I was inspired to be used in a pragmatist way. Every child is unique, and every child
learns in a unique way. How are kids supposed to know how they learn, especially at such a young
age, if they are not given the time, resources, and space to experiment? In pragmatism, the method
and process are more significant than the end result. This is what I hope to instill in my kids. The
enjoyment of the experience and the journey is what makes learning enjoyable.

Traditional educational paradigms are no longer necessary in today's world. It may be

required, depending on the situation. I always believe that the traditional way has a big part to play
today. There would be no foundation for everything we have learned and applied today if it did not
exist. We, as teachers, can be innovative in how we instruct our students. The lives of our students
are always changing, and as teachers, it is our job to make sure they are learning and growing in the
best way possible.

The same thing is going to happen to my students. I believe in pragmatism because I want to
adapt to the changing world around me. I don't want my students to feel stuck in what they are told
to believe and ignore the amazing things they can bring to my classroom. That "aha moment" is too
important to waste because I have to make sure my students learn fractions on Monday and
multiplication on Wednesday by sticking to a schedule. By giving them that time to dance and flow
through their journey, they will find the answer on their own. It could be different from how I figured
it out. But the trip will have meaning for them, and that's what's important.