The role of education, of the teacher, and of the student

Although I agree that education should prepared an individual for full participation in a democratic society, my own concept of education at the present is that it has many interrelated roles.  The role of education is to complement the role of parents and home life in enabling individuals to attain their full potential in life – their potential as autonomous individuals and also as a productive and well adjusted members of society. 

Education should provide an environment that fosters personal, individual growth; at the same time it should offer the student social experience that enable him/her to interact successfully with others, both in the enjoyment of social life and the communication and collaboration that are called for in the workplace.  Students should be equipped with knowledge so they can understand the world around them in its rich dimensions – enabling them to enjoy human culture and play an active role in creating culture.  Education should equip them with them with the range of basic knowledge and skills to communicate successfully and to manipulate their external environment.  Skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics.  Through education, a person should be able to think for himself, solve problems, and determine his own beliefs, values, and goals. And a final result of education is the formation of individuals who are life-long learners.

My views about the role of education follow in large part my personal beliefs and values.  In that sense they are well aligned.  The kind of education I describe above is to a large degree the education that I myself received.

As to my role as a teacher, I believe it should be that of a facilitator of learning and a guardian of it.  I would hope to create a classroom environment in which the students themselves are active participants while I as the teacher remove obstacles in their way.  That would include being a guardian of the classroom environment.  That means being vigilant in maintaining the classroom as a place where students are safe and free to learn.  It would include maintaining the classroom as a positive and enjoyable environment, one that is stimulating and even enjoyable though quite serious.  I believe also that my role is that of a leader, a mentor and a role model. 

As already mentioned, I see the role of students as being an active role.  I see learning as a self-directed activity.  So a student’s role is proactive; the student takes hold of knowledge.  I see the students as the actors in the play and the teacher as one who simply sets the stage. 

            My philosophy addresses the incorporation in the classroom of students from other cultures in several ways.  First of all, education’s role includes that of personal and individual development.  That means that it allows for differences, for diversity.  My own role as guardian of the environment is to make the classroom a place that’s safe and stimulating for all of the students.  The challenge... the question is how specifically will I as a teacher create this atmosphere of acceptance and celebration of diversity within the classroom?