Carly DAquila

EDU4000 Capstone
Philosophy of Education

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. I truly
believe these words by Nelson Mandela, that education is a vital component of an impactful life.
Education shapes our youth, and our youth shapes our future. A positive educational experience
fosters a lifelong love of learning and desire to explore our world. As teachers, I feel it is our job
to instill and nurture a willingness to take in new knowledge and apply it to better our world.
I believe that the classroom must always be student-centered, as Lev Vygotsky stated. A
teachers role in the classroom is to facilitate learning and guide students through academic
processes. Students should be encouraged to lead their own paths of discovery and tap into their
personal interests as well. Student engagement is necessary. When the students are engaged, they
are absorbing more information.
In the classroom, differentiation is key. Every person is an individual; we each learn and
respond in infinitely diverse ways. If teaching is geared only to a specific type of learner, those
who are different are left at an extreme disadvantage. Because of these distinctions, teachers
need to open their minds to a variety of educational techniques in order to appeal to each of the
different learners in their classrooms. As Howard Gardner explored, there are multiple styles of
learning. A person learns best when their individual learning style is addressed. This can be as
simple as allowing visual learners to draw pictures rather than write during a lesson, or as
complex as dividing students into groups based on their unique style of learning. If a teacher

remains narrow-minded and stuck in a singular way of presenting information, he/she leaves
his/her students at an inconvenience.
Factual knowledge is not the only information that should be taught in the classroom.
Social and developmental skills are also critical elements that need to be addressed in education.
It is a teachers job to not only educate students on facts and figures, but also to prepare them for
the world and set them on the right path to a bright future. Just this simple influence has the
potential to make a world of difference in the life of a student.
Problem solving is among the most important skills to be addressed in education. With
the ability to effectively problem solve, a world of possibility becomes wide open. Problem
solving is not only a basic skill necessary for school subjects such as English, math, science, etc.,
but also a key part of functioning in society. Everybody encounters problems in their daily life,
even if just something as minuscule as what to wear that day. Teachers must help to arm their
students with the skills required to solve these problems. This is an essential part of education.
Teachers need to make their classroom safe. It is an educators duty to make their
students feel comfortable. This includes equality and fairness. In order to get the most out of
their schooling, students need to be provided with an environment in which they can be
themselves and express their feelings, ideas, and opinions.
Overall, my approach to instruction is student-centered, differentiated, varied, social and
emotional as well as academic, and problem-solving based. I strive to create a safe and secure
classroom environment where my students always feel cared about and valued. My goal is for
my students to learn the skills and concepts necessary to become productive members of the

world and to foster a deeply rooted love of learning in them. I want to be a teacher because I
want to change the world. One student at a time.