This document discusses the philosophical foundations of education and the characteristics of socially responsible teachers. It begins by defining philosophy and describing the main branches. It then defines the philosophy of education and discusses five major philosophical perspectives that have influenced education: idealism, realism, pragmatism, essentialism, and progressivism. For each perspective, it provides the key beliefs of teachers who adhere to that philosophy. The document emphasizes that successful teachers have a philosophical foundation for their work and are active members of social institutions.

1. Socially Responsible Teachers:
Rich with Philosophical Heritage

2. Behind a successful teacher is
his/her philosophy of education – a
set of beliefs about “what and how”
education and teaching should be.

3. What is philosophy?
Philosophy can be defined as a set of ideas
that answer questions about the nature of
reality and about the meaning of life.
Philosophy originated with the ancient
Greek word Philo which means love and
Sophie which means wisdom.

4. Greek thinkers divided philosophy into
three branches:
• Metaphysics addresses reality. It is divided
into two categories:
o Ontology
o Cosmology
• Epistemology is concerned with the nature of
knowledge.
• Axiology and its corollaries relate in value.
o Ethics
o Aesthetics

5. What is philosophy of education?
Philosophy of education is a set
of related beliefs that influence
what and how students are taught.

6. Philosophical Roots of Education
1. Idealism
-contends that reality lies in our consciousness
or our intellect. Idealist believe that perfect
knowledge of the idea resided outside humans as an
Absolute or as God.
Idealist Teachers:
1.1. Believe that the schools are the repositories of
eternal truth which have organized the hierarchal
curriculum in education.

7. 1.2. Believe that on top this hierarchy are the most
important subjects that cultivate abstract thinking.
1.3. Believe in the use of Socratic method.
1.4. Believe that thinking and learning are the
processes of bringing latent ideas to consciousness and
logic is encouraged in organizing their lessons.
1.5. Believe that teachers should lead exemplary lives
and be models for students to imitate.
1.6. Believe that the internet can make the great book
accessible to all, but they insist that technology should
be the means rather than the end in transmitting
knowledge.

8. 2. Realism
-advocates that reality is outside of our minds.
Realist believe that the objects we perceive exist
independently of the mind; that whether or not we
perceive these objects, they really exist in the world.
Realist Teachers:
2.1. Believe that teachers should be equipped with a
wide repertoire of methods in teaching to achieve their
goals.

9. 2.2. Believe that their primary responsibility is to bring
students’ ideas about the world into reality.
2.3. Believe that deductive and inductive logic, and the
scientific method are reliable means to discover
knowledge.
2.4. Believe that the inclusion of non-academic
activities interfere with the school’s primary purpose as
a center of discipline academic inquiry.
2.5. Believe in the use of technology as an aid in
learning; they recommend computer program to be
“realistic” and effective as possible.

10. 3. Pragmatism
-evaluates the truth and meaning of the ideas
according to their physical consequences and practical
value.
John Dewey, a pragmatist, relate education as
preparation for life.
Pragmatist Teachers:
3.1. Believe that education is an experimental
process.

11. 3.2. Believe that children should learn how to make
difficult decision by considering the consequences of
their actions on others.
3.3. Believe that education should focus in real-life
problems to be prepared to live fully and effectively in
society.
3.4. Believe that students should learn the process of
problem-solving rather than by being passive learners
as knowledge is being transmitted to them.
3.5. Believe in collaborative learning where students
share their interest and problems.

12. 3.6. Believe that interdisciplinary education is better
that departmentalized curriculum in education.
3.7. Believe in taking risk in education to achieve their
goal.
3.8. Believe in values-clarification rather than blindly
accepting inherited values.
3.9. Believe that communication technologies such as
e-mail and internet provide opportunities to share
ideas, insights and experiences.

13. Other Philosophies and Theorist Related
to Education
1. Perennialism
-assert that the primary purpose of education
is to bring students in contact with the truth by
cultivating their intellect and sense of rationality or
reasoning power.
Perennialist Teachers:
1.1. Believe that the teachers are the intellectual
mentors and models for their students.

14. 1.2. Believe that the fundamental skills such as
reading, writing, computation and research be
developed starting the elementary grades to
prepare them for lifelong learning.
1.3. believe that subjects with human concern like
history, literature, drama, and art should be
included in the secondary school curriculum.
1.4. Believe that their role is to sharpen the
students’ intellectual powers and enhance their
moral qualities.
1.5. believe that electronic version of great books
and other classics maybe viewed by larger audience
but this could not be a substitute for reading the
classics.

15. 2. Essentialism
-is a teacher-centered philosophy that adheres
to the belief that the basic skills of literacy (reading
and writing) and numeracy (arithmetic) as well as
subject-matter knowledge should be developed in
schools.
Essentialist Teacher:
2.1. believe that the teachers have authority to
discipline students.
2.2. believe that the teachers should have mastery of
the knowledge and skills they teach.

16. 2.3. Believe in the use of deductive method of
teaching.
2.4. Believe that the students should learn the
“essentials”.
2.5. Believe that only when the students have
mastered the required competencies they can be
promoted to the higher level.
2.6. Believe that the test scores are the basis for
evaluating students’ progress.

17. 3. Progressivism
Progressivists belong to a reform movement
that opposed the traditional education. They were
against: 1) authoritarian teachers, 2) book-based
instruction, 3) rote memorization, and 4)
authoritarian classroom management.
Progressivist Teachers:
3.1. Believe that teachers should possess a repertoire
of learning activities to be used in the teaching-
learning process like problem-solving, fieldtrips,
creative artistic expression and projects.

18. 3.2. Believe that the child should be free to develop
naturally.
3.3. Believe that interest motivated by direct
experience stimulates learning.
3.4. believe that the teacher is a facilitator of
learning.
3.5. Believe that there should be close cooperation
between the home and the school.
3.6. Believe that the students’ needs, interest, and
readiness should be considered in constructing the
curriculum.

19. 4. Social Reconstructionism
This theory rooted in progressivism. They
sought to make schools the center of larger social
reforms.
Social Reconstructionist Teacher:
4.1. Believe that the school is the ideal place to
begin alleviating social problems.
4.2. believe in using project method and problem-
solving method in teaching.
4.3. Believe that research is an effective means in
solving problems of society.

20. 4.4. Believe that the intellectual, emotional,
and personal needs of the students should
be considered in the learning process.
4.5. Believe that teachers must model
democratic principles.

21. 5. Existentialism
-is a philosophy that emphasizes the subjectivity of
human experience. It is more a process of philosophizing
than it is a philosophy.
Existentialist author, Jean-Paul Sartre often quoted
the phrase “Existence precedes essence.”
Existentialist Teachers:
5.1. Believe that the purpose of education is to awaken our
consciousness about our freedom to choose and to create
our own self-awareness that contributes to our identity.

22. 5.2. Believe that students should be trained to
philosophize, to question, and to participate in dialogues
about the meaning of life.
5.3. Believe that self-expression, creativity, self-awareness,
and self-responsibility should be developed in the
students.
5.4. Believe that open classrooms maximize freedom of
choice.
5.5. Believe in self-directed instruction.
5.6. Believe that students should decide what they want to
learn and when to learn it.

23. Socially Responsible Teachers:
Active Members of Social Institutions

24. What is a professional teacher?
Let us use the metaphor of the
mountain and the teacher to
identify the salient qualities of a
professional teacher?

25. The mountain is a huge creation that stands towering
over all other structures in the land. It stands majestic and
impressive providing a soothing effect when viewed from a
distance. It stature is a symbol of strength and stability.
Because of its elevated position, the mountain
receives the first rays of the sun at dawn. The radiance of the
sun’s rays on the summit creates a beautiful panorama to
behold. It is a spectacular scene to lay eyes on.
The mountain provides shelter to animals and other
creatures living in it. At times when the rain comes, the soil in
the mountain is eroded and water flows freely to the land
and rivers below. The rainwater from the mountain fertilizes
the land at the foot of the mountain. The plants grow and
produce abundant harvest for the people living in the area.

26. • Good Personality
• Honest
• Enthusiastic
• Caring
• Role Model
• Fair
• Friendly
• Respectful
• Dedicated
• Creative
• Flexibility
A. Personal Qualities

27. B. Attitude of Professional Teachers are
Manifested in Terms of:
• Empathy towards students
• Commitment and dedication to the profession
• Reflective practitioner
• Passion for teaching

28. What is profession?
A profession is an occupation that claims
exclusive technical competence, service, ideals, and
ethics of professional conduct.
A profession is the application of intellectual
technique to the ordinary business of life, acquired
as a result of prolonged and specialized training.
The Teacher as a Professional

29. Criteria of Professional Teachers
1. Professional Academic Profession
2. Licensure and Commitment to the Service
3. Public Service and Altruism
4. Legal Practice of the Profession
5. Adherence to Professional Ethics
6. Membership to Professional Organization

30. Teachers are active members of social
institutions
Social institutions are special structures which
are organized to meet the basic needs of society.
Social institution includes:
1. Family
2. Education
Teachers of the 21st century are expected to
prepare the students to be lifelong learners. Here are
some expectations of society from them.
1. Help the students succeed in the knowledge
society.
• Academic achievement

31. • Communication skills
• Creative and critical thinking
• Social problem-solving
• Workplace skills
2. Prepare students to be functioning members of
the society.
3. Teach virtues such as punctually, truth, hard
work, honesty, hygiene, patriotism, love and
sincerity, obedience etc. Society needs these values
to be propagated.
4. Act as the bridge between the school and the
community.

32. 5. Identify pressing issues and provide
enlightenment to society.
The 21st century education demands
opportunities for the students to develop
intellectually, ethically, and aesthetically.
• Academic
• Vocational
• Social and civic
• Personal

33. 3. Religion (Church)
• Function of religion
• Social Cohesion
• Social control
• Emotional support
4. Government
– is an institutution that holds the power to
make and enforce the rules and laws of
society.

34. THANK YOU !!!