Kalen Winkler

ETEC 424
Dr. Dziorny
Educational Philosophy
If life was to be represented by a car, education would be the key. You cannot go
anywhere in life if you are not educated. You can take away a lot of things from someone, but
knowledge isnt one of them.
My parents are teachers, so at a young age I realized what an incredible role a teacher can
play in a students life. As a teacher, you have the opportunity to influence many people every
day of your life. But as a teacher, it is your job to educate the next generation, so that they can
make a difference in their world. A child is more than just a student. They are like little seeds
and as a teacher it is your job to plant that seed and nourish and water it so that it grows. But just
like a seed, it takes time and a lot of hard work before you see a harvest.
I feel like I am able to relate to all school age children. Although, I would really like to
focus on junior high/high school level students, as I would like to coach as well. I believe they
are at the age, where they begin to have their own interests and goals and begin to figure out who
they are and what they want to do in life. I think this is the time that teachers have the
opportunity to instill the right values and give direction to their moral compass - stepping stones
that will lead them to a successful life. Because of where I grew up, I feel I have the ability to
relate to students from any culture or economic background.
Children learn best when they are having fun and are engaged. It helps for the student to
have interest in whatever they are learning. Many times you have to create that interest by how
you teach. I believe you should engage your students by visually teaching, using technology and

engaging them with interesting activities. Your classroom should be disciplined, yet students
should feel the freedom to learn. Each student is unique in their own way and how they learn.
As a teacher, it is your responsibility to get to know your students so you know how they learn.
But also, for them to know that you care about them as an individual and not just a student. The
goals of my classroom will be simple Give your all, have a good attitude, and you can! If the
student gives their all, every day, and has a good attitude towards the objectives, then they can
succeed no matter how many times it takes.
Growing up outside of the U.S., I feel I am a culturally diverse person and that is carried over
into my outlook on the world. Being open-minded and tolerant, I feel I carry that into my
relationships with others. Working in education is very team oriented. We are all on the same
team the student, the teacher, the administration, the family. We have to work together to see
that each student succeeds. In coming together, we give that student the best opportunity for
success. Just like they say, teamwork makes the dream work.
Being a teacher is more than just reciting lessons and grading papers. It is the opportunity to
make a difference in someones life. It is the opportunity to give someone an education, to give
them knowledge, but most importantly give them their key.