Course Essential Questions/My Personal Philosophy

Motivations (for teaching):
-Love and concern for others
-Improving my own circumstances and those of others (academically, financially, self-sufficiently, etc.)
-The thrill and joy of learning itself-- creativity and discovery
-Dissatisfaction with the current school systems (Ken Robinson Ted Talk, Addams "snare of preparation" -- seeing these things in my own experience
Desire to help all children feel worth

Identity (qualities I have and who I strive to be):
A helper and supporter, friend
(someday) a righteous mother
"anxiously engaged"
seeking to better the world around me
curious, driven, creative, emotional

Am I willing to give what it takes to defy the container-filling system (Freire) and be an outstanding teacher regardless of the system??

Desire to help my family-- connect with siblings, understand autism, etc. --possible desire for special education?

Beecher: "Look, again, into another, where the teacher, fitted by nature or trained by instruction and experience, is qualified for her office. See the little happy group around their best-beloved friend – their beau ideal of all that is good, and wise, and lovely! How their bright eyes sparkle as she opens the casket of knowledge, and deals out its treasures!" --THIS is what I want to achieve in teaching AND learning!

Comenius quotes Psalms, children a "heritage of the Lord"

Thoreau quote that I love: "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor." --if the goal is to help them reach this conscious endeavor, this elevation, then I'm succeeding.

We are all children of God with a higher, divine purpose. We are here to learn and grow through our experience (See 2 Nephi 2, Moses 4). "The glory of God is intelligence" (D&C 93:36) and "whatever knowledge we attain to in this life" is the knowledge we'll take into the next life. If I few those I teach as divine beings with infinite worth and potential, I can seek to help them become something and magnify that divinity within them.

Freire-- the teacher must also be a student-- seek learning and also learn from students

"the learner/teacher... doesn't let anything pass him by.
He catches everything, sorts it, arranges it, stores it. Consequently... when the time comes to serve, a learner/teacher has something to give." (Gong, Capture)

Individual responsibility to learn (Bednar chapter 1)-- wise and meaningful use of AGENCY-- I am to strive to learn all I can, become the best I can become, and then serve others

From a spiritual standpoint-- to follow the example of the Savior and "first seek to obtain [the] word" and then declare it, and seek constant spiritual learning through study and prayer (ask, seek, knock)

Seeking active learning for myself and helping my students seek active learning-- developing sense of self
"individuals who are cowed or flattened out or depressed or afraid [can't] learn" Maxine Greene

**Exemplifying Christ as the Master Teacher
(see link to Cornerstone outlining attributes of Christ and His teaching: https://docs.google.com/document/d/104QGZZrPsZl1EKgVq5n4xWqaG6Ttgl3qLtY7mqM4HMY/edit
Christ's character and motives: Charity, Humility, Concern for those He taught (see Mark 2, proverbs 14:29, John 8, Mark 14:36)
His Preparation and Example: lived what He taught, prepared spiritually (Mark 1:35, Matt. 4, John 7:17, Acts 10:38)
His methods of teaching: Parables, Inspired questions, Authority, Loving correction (Matthew 13, Mark 1:14-17, Mark 2:10-11, Luke 10:38-42)
His high expectations for those He taught: gaining experience for themselves, living righteously; He led by example and taught them to BECOME something.
(John 14:15, 3 Nephi 27:21)

Independent thinking-- NOT "Educational Bolimia" (Sis. McManus quote) --mindset of proactive learning

Unlocking creativity

Life skills-- Jane Addams- what will actually prepare us for LIFE? Not just repeated facts

Freire-- empowering the lower classes, not inhibiting them

Diane Ravitch-- all students should have a knowledge of their country's history, great literature, and great philosophers

Democracy-- how to be good, well-rounded, involved citizens. Understanding our country and how it runs, how we can contribute, what different political views really mean, etc.

Kindness and respect for fellowmen-- a feeling of unity
**Taught by example

The Family: A Proclamation to the World-- we have the RESPONSIBILITY of teaching our children-- spiritually and temporally
(note here too my patriarchal blessing on learning how to teach them important life skills as well as the gospel)

Our responsibility as Parents “Parents, the days are long past when regular, active participation in Church meetings and programs, though essential, can fulfill your sacred responsibility to teach your children to live moral, righteous lives and walk uprightly before the Lord. With President Monson’s announcement this morning, it is essential that this be faithfully accomplished in homes which are places of refuge where kindness, forgiveness, truth, and righteousness prevail. Parents must have the courage to filter or monitor Internet access, television, movies, and music. Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony. Your children need to know that you have faith in the Savior, love your Heavenly Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church. Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes.”
“Can Ye Feel So Now?” By Quentin L. Cook, October 2012 General Conference

Parents should also be constant learners-- (Freire, learning from students-- applies here too with our children)

Plato's caveman analogy--  Interesting when applied in this sense-- are the schools seeking to enlighten everyone and bring them out of the "cave"?

Jefferson: "He believed God allowed enlightenment and education to bring about human improvement and perfection"

Horace Mann believes it is the most impactful institution, but Diane Ravitch implies that it cannot cure the problems of society-- either way, it is a tool to empower education and improve the lives of individuals, if we make it a fulfilling experience

What foundation SHOULD they be based on?

Dewey-- the entire SCHOOL needs to foster a feeling of community learning, not just dependent on the teacher.

"Americans have believed in schooling...because Americans are deeply committed to self-improvement and the school is an institutionalized expression of that commitment.
" --Diane Ravitch

What is the foundation today?

Ken Robinson said a system is only as good as its teachers--
so if we want a change we have to BE THE CHANGE!

Schools are also built on the contributions of the public and the willingness of teachers and parents to commit to and support the education of a community's students

Book learning-- "the snare of preparation"?
I'm skilled at memorizing things quickly, repeating
back facts for a test-- how can I better RETAIN and
REMEMBER things?

Hands-on and application

**Emotional experience and connections-- friendships-- some of my most memorable learning experiences were with close friends and/or with teachers that I loved and admired, had a special connection with-- I learned from their examples, their personalities

Thrill of discovery, inquiry (experiences with best friend growing up)-- the things we get EXCITED about are the things that stick with us

"I believe, you see, that the young are most likely to be stirred to learn when they are challenged by teachers who themselves are learning, who are breaking with what they have too easily taken for granted, who are creating their own moral lives." --Greene