Preparing to Write a Personal Philosophy of Education

by Prof (retired). Dorothy Kennedy, School of Education
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Use the following questions to help you think about your beliefs regarding education. Spend some time thinking about each one in some depth. It is not necessary to respond to each of these questions in your written philosophy. You may also, of course, decide to comment on additional issues as well.

There is no magic formula. Just try to put your honest thoughts on paper -- somewhere around 300-400 words. You should strive for a serious but not pompous tone, conveying your thoughts with clarity as well as with perfect spelling, punctuation, and grammar. It may help to consider a school administrator as your audience. Try to write a paper that will let that person know where you stand in regard to important educational theories and practices.

1. In your opinion, what are the broad goals of education? How can they best be met?

2. What are your hopes for each of your (future) students? What do you want them to achieve, accomplish, learn, feel, etc.?

3. What kind of knowledge and skills do you believe is most important for students, and how should they gain that knowledge and those skills? What will be your role in that process?

4. What do you believe about the learning process? In what ways does it take place?
How will your beliefs influence your teaching?

5. Will you consciously promote certain values in your classroom? If so, which values will you choose? Why? If not, why not?

6. What kind of environment do you hope to create in your classroom? How does this relate to your basic beliefs about students and learning?

7. What kind of feedback will you offer your students as they work? How will you use praise, rewards, punishment, etc.? What kind of assessment will you use to be sure that students have met objectives? 

It may be helpful to consider such theories, terms, and models as: behaviorism, social learning, information processing, metacognition, constructivism, problem-solving skills, thinking skills, discovery learning, direct instruction, motivation theory, self-concept, advance organizers, cooperative learning, learning styles, individualization.
Criteria for Evaluating Philosophies of Education
by Prof. Dorothy Kennedy, School of Education
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Outstanding
A written educational philosophy which is ranked as "outstanding" shall have these characteristics:

1. flawless and precise use of language, as demonstrated by correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and other mechanics, as well as clear and accurate use of terms

2. a distinct voice

3. evidence of understanding of basic theories of learning, motivation, and educational psychology

4. evidence of reflection and conscious, thoughtful choice regarding one or more of those theories

Furthermore, it shall form a cohesive and unified whole in which no part contradicts another part.

Acceptable
A written educational philosophy which is rated as "acceptable" shall have these characteristics:

1. use of language which contains no mechanical errors or at most one or two relatively minor errors

2. clearly focused discussion of preferences expressed in comprehensible terms

3. little or no irrelevant material

Unacceptable
A written educational philosophy which is ranked as "unacceptable" will require revision to correct one or more of the following problems:

1. nonstandard use of language, e.g., grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors

2. sloppy, confusing, or imprecise use of terms

3. lack of clarity, cohesion, or meaning

4. considerable irrelevant material

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