Morgan Brown

November 30th, 2021

A New Take on Learning

Educational philosophies construct the backbone of the education that students receive

within the classroom. While learning about the numerous educational philosophies, I noted that

my personal educational beliefs resonate with the idea of Social Reconstructionism. As a

student-centered learning approach, the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy

establishes that the classroom is a place to learn about student-selected social problems with the

end goal of instigating positive change within the local community (“What is Social

Reconstructionism?”, 2018, para. 3). Educators who provide their students with the opportunity

to learn about and address social dilemmas that they are passionate about, plant the seed for a

new generation of innovative problem solvers.

George Counts, one of the most prolific educators to champion the glories of Social

Reconstructionism first became associated with the educational philosophy in 1932, with the

publication of his essay entitled, Dare the School Build a New Social Order (“What is Social

Reconstructionism?”, 2018, para. 2). Count’s publication of this groundbreaking essay was

fueled by his disgust of the educational inequities that were present between the wealthy and the

impoverished communities within the United States (“What is Social Reconstructionism?”, 2018,

para. 2). With Count’s 1946 publication of Education and the Promise of America, he discussed

the importance of America’s Democratic values and the many social injustices that hinder such

values (Hill, 2006, p.119). The solution Counts presented to combat the problematic presence of

social injustices, centered itself around addressing the inequity present within society; the

inequity that degrades an individual's self-worth and dignity, violating what Counts deemed to be

an ethical responsibility of the American Democracy (Hill, 2006, p.121).

Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
The Purpose of Education

Currently, public schools around the United States expect teachers to “teach to the test”,

requiring students to regurgitate knowledge with the sole purpose of meeting strict testing

standards. From my own personal experience in public schools, I’ve experienced the “I have to

pass the test or I’m a failure” mentality that plagues the minds of students in educational settings

based on state mandated Standards of Learning. During my elementary school years, I became

accustomed to completing packet after packet of review to ensure my readiness for the annual

SOL tests that dominated the months of April and May. I’ve also noted from my personal

educational experience that public schools have a unique definition of “preparedness for the real

world,” by basing the concept around the rigid educational standards that plague education.

One of my most impactful interactions with an educator occurred when I was a Junior in

high school. At the time, I was swamped with three AP courses, two honors courses, and had

begun the college application process. On a rough day, my Choir director pulled me aside and

allowed me to share my frustrations linked to my perfectionist tendencies induced by the

Essentialist test-centered learning approach that haunted my education. As the very wise woman

that she is, my Choir director had me sit down and think about the exact significance of my

position at that time, to the overall timeline of my life. After letting me think for a while, she had

me think about what I viewed my purpose in life to be. In that moment, I realized that I saw my

life as being an opportunity to create positive, cataclysmic change in the world around me. A few

weeks after this perfectionist-shattering conversation with my director, I recognized my desire to

become a Music Educator - a profession that would allow me to embrace what I now know as

my Social Reconstructionist approach to education, in whichever grade level I end up teaching.

Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
As I entered college and spent my first year living away from home, I became aware of a

significant number of things related to "adulting", that I had been naively unaware of during my

time in the public school system. I found myself grossly unprepared in understanding how to file

taxes, maintain a budget, apply for employment opportunities, and a myriad of other financial

based scenarios. Luckily, my parents took it upon themselves to teach me these basic life skills

that were overlooked or neglected due to the outdated philosophies that mold curriculum within

my former school district. The Essentialist ideas that restrict education in the United States

starkly differ from the Social Reconstructionist ideals that I resonate with. The American

Education system needs to reevaluate the purpose of education, to allow students to be better

prepared for the real world beyond public school.

What Should Be Taught and Why

Schools should focus on teaching not only to each student’s academic needs, but also to

their practical needs. The diverse spectrum of student backgrounds and abilities emphasizes how

the idea of a “cookie-cutter” approach to education is not suitable to meet every student’s needs.

As a supporter of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy, I find it pertinent to

educate students about how to create impactful changes within their local community. Equipping

young minds with the tools to spark positive change within society opens avenues for creativity

and new perspectives, honoring the importance of everyone’s ability to positively contribute to

society.

Within my future Music classroom, I plan to incorporate my student’s interests within my

daily instruction and classroom activities, regardless of whatever age group I decide to teach. As

musicians, my students and I have the ability to enact social change within the local community

through the medium of music. By incorporating music from a diverse collection of cultural
Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
backgrounds and textual meanings, my students and I have the ability to harness the power of

music in regards to honoring the existence of diversity within the local community. In an effort to

embrace the importance of multicultural education within my classroom, my students and I will

incorporate ways to honor and appreciate minority groups around the world. The plethora of

music available to educators for each designated skill set level presents a significant number of

opportunities to address some of the social inequities that are present throughout society.

Another extremely important lesson that my students will learn within my classroom is

the importance of basic human kindness. Within the United States, there seems to be a lack of

kindness and respect for others, in comparison to other locations around the world. Students in

my classroom will learn how to embrace the differences around them by appreciating each

individual’s existence. I will also encourage my students to incorporate simple acts of kindness

within their everyday activities to demonstrate how they can leave a positive impact on others

and their communities. As a mentor to my students, I plan to offer opportunities for my students

to share their musical talents with the purpose of giving back and thinking beyond themselves,

such as holding a music-based fundraiser to raise money to help address food disparity or

housing insecurity within the local community. The integration of kindness within my future

classroom curriculum will be one of the most important and valuable learning experiences for

my students, and no doubt one of the most fulfilling topics for me to teach.

The Nature of the Learner

My students will play a significant role within the determination of the curriculum within

their music-related studies. Students who are involved in music tend to be highly motivated and

ambitious individuals who hold themselves to high moral and academic standards. As

individuals driven by their desire to learn and to share their musical talents with others, my
Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
students will rely on intrinsic motivational factors, due to their dedication to their craft.

Regardless of my future students’ music proficiency levels, they will be encouraged to work

diligently to ask questions and to continuously build upon their skills. Within my classroom,

students will collaborate with their classmates while preparing level-appropriate repertoire that

relates to or addresses their chosen social injustice topic. As a collaborative ensemble, members

will actively support and empower one another throughout their daily interactions inside and

outside of my classroom, helping my students to form lasting bonds with each other. Music

students are engaged individuals that have the determination and willpower to achieve whatever

task is set before them - as a teacher who identifies with the Social Reconstructionist educational

philosophy, I’m extremely excited to see how my students will use their musical talents to

change the world.

The Role of the Teacher

My purpose as a Music Educator is to support my students in all of their endeavors by

empowering them to be the best versions of themselves. Within my Music classroom, I am there

to guide and encourage my students to find ways to make the world around them a better place

by creating positive change within their local community. As an educator, I am an advocate for

my students when interacting with my administration, my fellow colleagues, and the

parents/guardians of my students. With that said, it is my responsibility to advocate for my

students to help them to positively shape the community around them by gaining the support of

additional adults who may have influence to help my students to impact the lives of additional

individuals outside of their immediate social sphere. By upholding the Social Reconstructionist

philosophy within my classroom, I have the capability to help my students to create monumental

change by equipping them with the necessary resources to be successful.

Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
Teaching Methods That Should Be Used and Why

My future classroom will be designed to be an inclusive and safe space for all students.

Everyday, I will incorporate lessons in kindness, compassion, empowerment, and positive

change-making in an effort to mold my students into positively contributing members of society.

The incorporation of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy within my classroom

will encourage the use of critical thinking skills to find innovative ways to address the social

justice topic that interest my students, while also increasing their understanding of the basic

problem-solving approach. As a teacher who identifies with the Social Reconstructionist

educational philosophy, I am in the classroom to help my students to become better individuals

and contributors to society, while allowing my students to be invested in the formulation of their

curriculum.

Over the course of my future career, I intend to base my daily interactions with my

students off of the Social Reconstructionist educational philosophy. As an educator, I have the

ability to encourage my students to identify and address social injustices within the local

community through their involvement within my music class(es). In the years to come, I hope to

incorporate additional insight that I’ve gained as an educator to strengthen my personal

philosophy of education to provide my students with the most impactful and meaningful music

education as possible.
Morgan Brown
November 30th, 2021
References

Hill, L. G. (2006). The Principles for Education of the Social Reconstructionists and Critical

Theorists: A Yardstick of Democracy (Publication No. 461) [Doctoral dissertation,

Georgia Southern University]. Electronic Theses and Dissertations.

What is Social Reconstructionism?. (2018, June 10). Edupedia. Retrieved November

30, 2021, from

https://www.theedadvocate.org/edupedia/content/what-is-social-reconstructionism/.