Philosophy of Teaching

I believe that the purpose of education is to prepare students to be successful and

functioning members of society by creating environments and experiences that help develop

well-rounded citizens who are able to contribute to the betterment of the world we live in. I

believe that education is like a photomosaic. “A photomosaic is a large-scale image composed of

numerous, carefully arranged smaller photographs. Although each image is so small that one

can barely see the details, the colors and tones of those smaller images work together to create

a new composite image or pattern” (Definition: Photomosaic; Mosaic, 2014). In fulfilling the

purpose of education, the roles played by teachers, students, families, communities, and

technology are like the small images that come together to make up a large-scale photomosaic.

Though each role is important and meaningful on its own, they are far more powerful when

they work together towards one common goal or one big picture.

One of the smaller images that help to make up the big picture that is education is the

role of a teacher. Though there are numerous aspects to being an effective teacher, their role as

it pertains to academics tends to be at the forefront of most people’s minds. It is a teacher’s role

to teach the necessary foundational skills that will prepare their students for the next step in

their education. Teachers also have a responsibility to expose students to different ways to learn

and ways to obtain information and make their own interpretations. Teachers must help

students learn how to think, and problem-solve without telling them what to think. Whether on

a primary or secondary level, teachers must teach their students the importance of taking

ownership and responsibility for their learning. The teaching methods that I use most often to

fulfill this role are cooperative learning and small-group instruction.

 In addition to the academic aspect of a teacher’s role, the social and emotional aspect is

just as important in fulfilling the purpose of education. This part of a teacher’s role can be

thought of as another smaller image that helps create the large-scale photomosaic. For students

to become functioning citizens that are able to make contributions to society, it is vital that

education is not just focused on academic content. To ensure that we are helping to create

tolerant and open-minded citizens, teachers have a responsibility to expose students to

different ways of thinking and viewing the world around them. For students to become positive

members of our society, it is important that teachers help them understand how to accept that

everyone has differences. Students need to be taught how to navigate social situations, as well

as manage and cope with emotional situations.

Another smaller image that contributes to the composition of the photomosaic that is

education is the role of a student. Like teachers, there are various aspects to a student’s role,

but the most important is their duty to learn. For an education to be effective, a student must

have the willingness to learn and be taught. Education is most effective when the student is

engaged in the learning process by asking questions and participating in discussions. Students

also have a responsibility to study and practice the skills they learn in class so they have a

chance to achieve mastery and retain the information. It is also essential that students interact

with their peers to further deepen their understanding and make their educational experience

more meaningful and authentic. Peer interaction is also essential to help them develop the

social and emotional skills necessary to be successful adults. One of the many reasons that I

often use cooperative learning is that it helps students further develop their social skills and

practice navigating social situations.

 The role that technology plays in helping to fulfill the purpose of education serves as the

last small image to make up the photomosaic that is education. Technology is not necessarily

mandatory for an effective education, but because we are preparing students to function and

succeed in a world that thrives on technology, it is important to expose students to it as much

as possible. Technology can be highly beneficial to teachers in the classroom. One of the most

important roles technology plays in the classroom is that it helps teachers reach students and

connect with them in a way that this generation is naturally comfortable with. Technology

provides more opportunities to keep students engaged by creating a more personalized learning

experience (School of Education - American University, 2022). Technology also makes it easier

for me to meet with my students individually or in small groups while still providing the rest of

the class with meaningful assignments and skill practice on the computer through apps and

websites like MobyMax and eSpark.

Therefore, as I see it, the purpose of education is to prepare students to be successful

and functioning members of society by providing experiences that help to develop well-rounded

citizens who are able to make positive contributions to the world around us. To accomplish this

purpose, it is helpful to think of education as a photomosaic. As a successful photomosaic relies

on various smaller images with specific colors or tones, a successful education relies on

teachers, students, family members, and technological use. In both cases, success is dependent

on each working together and doing their part.

 References

Definition: Photomosaic; Mosaic. (2014, January 21). Photokonnexion.

https://www.photokonnexion.com/definition-photomosaic-mosaic/

School of Education - American University. (2022, February 14). How Important Is

Technology in Education? Benefits, Challenges, and Impact on Students. American

University - School of Education Online Programs.

https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/technology-in-education#:%7E:text=Technology%20

provides%20students%20with%20easy,difficult%20concepts%2C%20particularly%20in

%20STEM.