Teaching Philosophy Statement

What lies in the heart of a good teacher? Over a year ago if I had read this question I would not have put much thought into the subject at hand. Now I find that the very basis of my existence pivots on this one idea.

Growing up, attending school was thought to be just a necessary step for one to secure a job; not much thought was given to question why school education was as important as it is to me now. The gift of knowledge is a powerful tool, with it only the bounds of your imagination are at cause for one’s limitations. With the increase in population, technology, societal expectation and development; the art and science of what makes a good teacher is fundamentally what will ensure the continuation of human achievement that we as a race strive toward.

To answer this question, I feel that I need to first ask what it was that lead me to pursue a career in teaching?

My decision to become a schoolteacher primarily circulates the idea of paying back what I feel that I owe to society. I am fortunate to live in a country that understands the importance of education; it is available to all people and does not discriminate against those who pursue it. I personally believe that through the practice of education I will be granted the direct opportunity to make a difference.

To some this may strike as cliché, but the idealist within me believes that there is always the opportunity to achieve greatness; with the right guidance and support anything can be accomplished.

A large part of the type of teacher that I hope to one day be balances on the fundamentals of my individual pedagogical attitudes. Max Van Manen (2016) perfectly states in chapter 1- Pedagogical knowledge (Churchill, R. et al.