Running head: AUTOBIOG AND PHL OF EDUCATION 1

Autobiography and Philosophy of Education

Taylor Petrus

National University
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 2

Becoming an educator means more than just teaching lessons and hitting content

standards. It also involves social skills and talent that grabs the attention and heart of the

students. The most effective teachers have a passion for what they are doing and the students

can see it. Being an educator is something I have always wanted to be and had stemmed from my

previous educators that inspired me.

Growing up I enjoyed going to school. I was a shy and soft spoken individual who did

not know how to express myself in the ways I wanted to. Although this was a tough experience

growing up, I still was able to make friends and enjoy the time I spent there. During the course

of my education, I enjoyed going to school because of the caring teachers I had. The teachers

that were nice, exciting, and let me move at my own pace throughout class is what made me

want to get up the next morning. I was fortunate enough to have many great teachers. The ones

that inspired me the most were the ones that I could tell loved what they did. They were always

excited to be in class, enthusiastic about what we were learning, and always open to changing the

uniform schedule.

On the contrary, I did have a couple teachers who made going to school more of a chore.

Particularly, in sixth grade I had a teacher who was very rude to students. She traumatized me as

a child by exploiting me in front of the students for getting nervous during test taking, which was

a private conversation she had with my mother. From this day on, I will never forget her for that

moment.

My positive experiences during school growing up while it also being my darkest times are

the ones that inspire me to be an educator like the ones I looked forward to seeing every day.

Too many people do not enjoy learning, but I say, if you are taught in an exciting way, then you

will enjoy it.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 3

According to my survey results, I scored very high in the Progressivism category. After

reading more about progressivism in education, it did not surprise me because I felt my outlook

on how students should learn align with this point of view. Progressivism focuses on

experimentation and using the teacher, and looks at real world experiments as the best way to

learn content. According to Miller (2018), “Progressivism in education was organized so that

children would be taught via curriculum that was hands on” (para. 1). Although I agree that all

students have different ways of learning content best, I do believe that hands on activity is a way

that students do not forget content because it is different and stimulating.

I scored lowest within the Existentialism category, which also did not surprise me.

According to Jones (2013), “the new breed of accountability-driven schools is more interested in

reaching some number at the end of the school year than in actually constructing places where

teachers can create meaningful learning experiences for students” (p.156). I do not feel as

though students should have full freedom as to how they should learn and be taught in the

classroom. Teachers will always be an important asset to continuing and aiding in education.

As explained before, I enjoyed the teachers that did not exploit me, but instead cared for

me. I feel like this is one of the most important traits to have when being a teacher. According to

Thompson (1998), “the most powerful weapon available to teachers who want to foster a

favorable learning climate is a positive relationship with our students” (para.3). It is important

that the students feel respected, heard, and relatable to the teacher. I will always put myself in

my students shoes to understand how they view things and treat them the way they need to be

treated in order to succeed.

With the education I will complete and the experiences I had as a student and being a

student teacher, I will tailor myself into being my own individualistic educator that touches the
AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 4

heart of my students. Teaching is not just about the paycheck, but about the lives that are

effected to make a better future. By examining our past experiences going through schooling

ourselves, it helps us define who we want to be as an educator.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION 5

References

Boynton, M., & Boynton, C. (2005, November). Chapter 1. Developing Positive Teacher-

Student Relations. Retrieved August 9, 2018, from

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/105124/chapters/Developing_Positive_Teacher-

Student_Relations.aspx

Kline, K., & Abowitz, K. K. (2013). Moving Out of the Cellar: A New (?) Existentialism for a

Future without Teachers. Critical Questions In Education, 4(2), 156-167.

Miller, K. (2018). Progressivism in Education - Advantages and Disadvantages - Proponents -

Curriculum - Enroll | Enroll. Retrieved August 9, 2018, from

https://blog.enroll.com/post/Progressivism-the-Child-Centered-Curicculum-Way-to-

Educate