My Professional Teaching Credo:
Chandler Pogue
Intro to teaching
Mrs. Eastman
Abstract
Growing up I always look to my teaching as role model, both of my grandfathers
inspired me to want to become an educator. I feel that the teacher should inspire their
students to not only learn while they are at school, but to continually learn and develop for
their entire lives. I will use a mixture of progressive, essential, and constructive methods in my
classroom. Additionally I believe that the teacher should be there to guide students, so that
they can form their own opinions. Through the use of a hands on approach, group discussions,
and field trips, I think that my students will be driven to think critically, causing them to interact
with their peers as well as the teacher. I feel that children learn best when they are actively
learning.
I’ve always had great admiration and respect for teachers, growing up both of my
Grandfather’s taught at the high school level. I think this is where I got my drive to become an
educator. I have also been blessed to have had some extremely wonderful teachers throughout
my journey that has placed me here at Manchester College.
I always knew deep down, that I want to work with young adults but I never really knew
what it was I wanted to teach. I finally came to the conclusion that I was deeply interested in
teaching high school level social studies. I think the one of the most effective styles of teaching
is a progressive method, because it focuses on teaching students that education is a lifelong
process. John Dewey sums it up pretty well here with this quote, “Education is not a
preparation for life; education is life itself”. I believe that teachers should not only educate the
young minds of today but, I also believe that they should inspire their students to never stop
learning.
I feel that learning is most effective through problem solving. I think children learn and
work best when dealing with real life problems. I also favor hands on approach to learning,
instead of a style where lecture is the basis of the curriculum. I think that if you want to learn
something then you have to get in there and do it, this is only possible through a hands on
approach. Technology is becoming more and more available, Computers are just one way for
students to gain a hands on approach, I think it would be a great asset for generating learning.
Another thing I would implicate from progressivism is the use of field trips. Field trips allow
students to step outside the classroom, and explore other areas that pertain to the subject at
hand.
I believe that the teacher should be there to guide students, not to administer them. I
think students should be given the chance to form their own ideas about certain issues and
problems. I do however stray away from progressivism a little bit, when it comes to
competition, I think that through the use of competition children actually learn quite well.
Competition gives students the motivation to do their best. I feel that it will also benefit
students when they reach the work force. My view on textbooks is that while effective, I see
them as impersonal. As I teacher I would want to interact with my students, I would still use the
textbook somewhat in the class room but the majority of the teaching would be taught through
me.
Constructivism is another philosophical orientation, I want to introduce to my classroom
some day. I believe that students learn from their own experiences, and I think that should
draw on these experiences when trying to learn new things. I also think that teachers should
promote an active learning environment where the students fall back on what they have
already learned. I think students can retain better amounts of knowledge when they are
actively involved in the classroom. Additionally I see group discussion as huge part of the
learning process, not only does it make children think critically but it also teaches students how
to interact well with others, and students cannot learn unless they are thinking. I think that
group discussion fosters a comfortable learning environment that allows students to ask more
questions. Furthermore, I think that group discussion helps the teacher see what the students
have learned as well as letting them know what needs to be reviewed.
I would also like to incorporate a few methods from essentialism. I see school systems
as place where students not only learn subject material but also learn how to become
upstanding citizens. I am a firm believer in hard work, and I think that there must be discipline
in a classroom, or the student will not learn like they would otherwise. The teacher must
provide a classroom with minimal distractions, and also be willing to appropriately punish
students for behavior that is inappropriate. I also think that teachers have to remember that
they are being watched at all times. Educators need to be good role models for all students.
In conclusion, I think the single most important thing I can do as a teacher is inspire my
students to continually learn throughout their entire life. I also think that the teacher should act
as more of a guide to their students, this way they can form their own opinions. I feel that with
the use of progressive, essential, and constructive methods, I can create a well rounded
teaching philosophy, that will allow my students to participate in hands on activities, group
discussions, and felid trips. Additionally I want my students to strive to always be thinking
critically, by doing this students can form their own opinions. I see my greatest achievement as
being able to lead child to place where they are inspired to never stop learning and think
critically on their own.