Educational Philosophy

“Teaching is more than imparting knowledge, it is inspiring change.

Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding.”

William Arthur Ward

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.”

Albert Einstein

Each person in our society is a unique individual filled with strengths and weaknesses. One major purpose of education is to enable students during the course of their educational journey to unlock their strengths and overcome their weaknesses; to fill their toolbox minds with all kinds of beneficial knowledge thereby keeping the door of opportunity open for future ambitions. Though skills may lay the foundation, it is understanding that “takes flight.”

“The principal goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing

new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done.”

Jean Piaget

“The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them.”

Albert Einstein

One must identify and nurture students with exceptional talents and minds, always providing an engaging challenge, be it small or large. I view these students as our future leaders, taking the path less trodden, and helping to solve manmade problems. Without continual engagement, often boredom sets in and that mathematician is lost forever. An attempt must be made to offer a concept at a higher level; this may be through a more difficult problem or an application of a concept introduced.

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

The important thing is to never stop questioning.”

Albert Einstein

This holds true for both teacher and student. I often call on individual students for responses to questions; but wait, an answer is not sufficient unless one can explain the “why,” thereby holding the student accountable for his response. Should the answer be correct and the student is able to explain why, then there is understanding. Should the answer be wrong, through the student’s explanation often incorrect concepts/thinking can be addressed. Students are encouraged to work together on homework; two minds are better than one. The imparting of concepts to another also is a display of understanding. Students should feel as though there is no “stupid” question; for it may be a small concept that was missing during their educational journey. Encourage questions of all types, should the answer be unknown then seek knowledge together as a class.

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.”

Albert Einstein

Our society has a tendency to complicate things way too much. I have found that if you assume students know little, break down concepts into simple steps, continually challenge students to think, then the foundation is laid for application of a higher thought process. Techniques to “Keep it simple” are often stressed as I model problems for students and students are encouraged to do the same in their work.

“I never teach my pupils.

I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”

Albert Einstein

Upon the first day of class, I inform the students that I am merely the facilitator and guide; that it is their class. By bestowing upon the students responsibility of their own education new avenues are unleashed for communication. Being receptive to students’ ideas and suggestions, even asking them how I can accomplish the feat set before me, allows students to take ownership in the class. Adding a bit of fun in the classroom always provides for attentiveness. Allowing students to work problems on the board, with explanation, improves oral/presentation skills. Providing students with multiple resources via Blackboard enables them to seek solutions to multiple problems. In showing students how to become responsible for themselves as well as their own education, they attain tools to become successful in life and to believe in their own self-worth.

“Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. Concern for man and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavors. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations.”

Albert Einstein

Good education strives to build moral character and concern for the world in which we live; it encompasses the “whole” student. Honesty is stressed and short conversations which former students have labeled as “life lessons” are shared. Multiple versions of tests/quizzes are given so as not to entice dishonest acts. Expectations are shared upon the start of class to enable proper conduct.

Add to this recipe: fair and equitable student treatment, respect, patience, and an acceptance that they too are children.

For me, teaching is an art that makes a difference; a lifelong learning of new strategies, new philosophies, new technological advances, and of wearing “many hats” at once all with an open, receptive mind. Students can learn if only teachers can instill a proper attitude about the subject.

Forest Witcraft

“A hundred years from now…….

It will not matter what was in my bank account,

The sort of house I lived in or

The kind of car I drove-

But the future may be different because

I was important in the life of a child.”