PHILOSOPHIC INVENTORY

FOR
STEPHANIE MCELVAIN
EDU 201-1003 Introduction to Elementary Education
College of Southern Nevada
February 17, 2019
PHILOSOPHIC INVENTORY RESULTS

SCORE

Perennialism Essentialism

Behaviorism

Existentialism

Progressivism

Essentialism Behaviorism Progressivism

Existentialism Perennialism Social Reconstructionism
 EXISTENTIALISM

• “ A highly subjective philosophy that stresses the importance of the individual and the emotional
commitment to living authentically.” (Forrest W. Parkay, Becoming a Teacher, p.140)
• Google Definition- A philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the
individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through
acts of the will.
 In this evaluation, I learned that I am very indecisive with what I feel exactly. I found myself
questioning each of my answers and even changed a few after my initial answer. The numeric results were
all very close to each other and I think that it might be a while until I feel like I fit into a smaller grouping of
philosophical orientations.
My strongest scoring philosophy was Existentialism, the believe that students should acquire an
education that help the feel meaning in their lives. I do agree that I have feelings that lean toward this
philosophy. The weakest scoring philosophy was Essentialism, that schools should teach in a disciplined and
systematic way. I cannot agree with the result I received here, I do believe that school should be systematic
and disciplined.
The way I learned as a child or teenager is very different from the way that I learn currently. I think that
has a large impact on my very undefined results. that I am struggling putting myself into certain categories
with this.
I do not feel that I want to base my teaching style on the results that I received here today. I think that I
need to learn more about myself and my thoughts before I am to look into that future to tell you what my
philosophical approach with my students will be.
Will your personal philosophy help or hinder learning?
I feel that Clark County School District leans more towards Behaviorism. At the school that I am
employed at, we work with our students to change negative behavior with reteaching expectations and
positive behavior awards. I do agree with this philosophy being used in our school systems, and I was
surprised to see that it was one of my weaker philosophical inventory results.