The document summarizes a teacher's philosophy of education through discussing why they teach, their educational values and goals, and the methods and strategies they employ. The teacher's goal is to develop higher-level thinking in students and help them succeed through nurturing relationships, teamwork, and making learning fun. Feedback from students and colleagues indicates the teacher is successful in achieving student learning and being an excellent educator through living their values of nurturing students and helping them achieve.

1. Philosophy of Education By Derek Spalla EDUC 7700/03 Reflective Inquiry

2. Table of Contents Quotable Quotes Why I Teach? My Educational Compass

3. Quotable Quotes “ The aim of education is the knowledge not of fact, but of values .” ~Dean William R. Inge “ You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so, you learn to love by loving . All those who think to learn in any other way deceive themselves.” ~Saint Francis de Sales “ Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” ~Marian Wright Edelman

4. Why I Teach? What motivates me to learn about my content area (area of expertise)? The desire to be a life long learner . A true passion for social studies. The need to be a content area expert .

5. Why I Teach? Cont. What do I expect to be the outcomes of my teachings? Students will develop higher level thinking skills . Students will become more creative . Students will be active learners .

6. Why I Teach? Cont. What are the student-teacher and collegial relationships I strive to achieve? A relationship of excellence and professionalism . A relationship of nurturing and challenge . A relationship of personal involvement .

7. Why I Teach? Cont. How do I know when I have been successful? Direct or indirect feedback from students, their parents, and collogues. Recognition as a teacher-leader . Reach my personal and professional goal of being teacher of the year .

8. Why I Teach? Cont. What habits, attitudes, or methods mark my most successful teaching achievements? Team work between students in the classroom is more valuable both to me as an educator and to the students than simple seat work. Pairing students in collaborative pairs allows them to learn and feed off the excitement of their peers. In teams, students are helping students, and everyone is learning. Working collaboratively, with clear guidelines and clear assessment, directly enhances students’ learning.

9. Why I Teach? Cont. Class work is more profitable than homework. Having my students begin and, in most cases, complete academic work in class instead of taking it with them, gives those students who are struggling, an opportunity for more individualized help from me or support from one of their peers. By completing work in class, students can receive the additional help they need without the frustration of being at home not understanding how to finish an assignment. More time for work in class also frees students to participate in extra curricular activities which are important for their enrichment.

10. Why I Teach? Cont. Using graphic organizers allows me to make my content area of social studies more accessible to students of all learning levels and achievement. Graphic organizers have helped me to expand, support, and provide scaffolding for learning around the textbook. Through the use of graphic organizers, my students have an easier time understanding and organizing information. Graphic organizers promote active learning. Because of graphic organizers, my students are developing higher level thinking skills and are becoming more creative.

11. Why I Teach? Cont. What values do I impart to my students, colleagues, and those I serve? Learning can and should be fun . Students can succeed in learning if they try. Student achievement is a product of their own effort. Love is a motivating factor.

12. Why I Teach? Cont. What code of ethics guides me? As a Christian, the basic tenets of my faith, the life of Jesus Christ , and the Bible serve as the code that guides my life. “ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” ~James 3:1 As a teacher I am responsible for what I teach and how I teach it.

13. Why I Teach? Cont. What themes pervade my teaching? Out of the major educational philosophies I most identify with recontructionism . Addressing social questions . Inquiry, dialogue, and value challenging . I also identify with the existentialist view of helping students understand and appreciate themselves and others.

14. My Educational Compass How I create and maintain relationship with students and colleagues that enhance successful teaching: Go to student’s extra-curricular activities (i.e. basketball games, dance recitals, and airsoft tournaments) Communicate with students via email and instant messaging . Collaborate with colleagues, discuss best practices.

15. My Educational Compass Cont. How I create an effective physical, social, and psychological learning environment: Dominant perspective from my TPI profile is nurturing : Students can succeed if they try. Achievement is a product of their effort. Other high ranked perspectives include: developmental and social reform .

16. My Educational Compass Cont. How I communicate my values and expectations to my students and colleagues: Rules of Ten – explain behavior conduct and values. Homework Rules of Seven – explains expectations regarding student work. Class syllabus . By personal example .

17. My Educational Compass Cont. Activities, strategies, and techniques and how they reflect my philosophy of education: Learning Focused – helps develop creativity and critical thinking skills. Content Fair – applies learning and students have fun. Listening – listen to students and take an interest in their lives.

18. My Educational Compass Cont. How successful I am in achieving my intended outcomes in teaching: “ Mr. Spalla is dedicated to his work and he treats us fairly. We learn a lot in his class and he lets us have lots of fun” ~2007-2008 Teacher of the Year Ballot “ He is kind and polite to his students, which sets a wonderful example. He is fair and he is Godly. My child has learned so much from him.” ~2007-2008 Teacher of the Year Ballot “ I just wanted to keep on telling you how great…well, awesome you are to me and everyone you teach at TCA! I can’t tell you enough how much we all love you so much…” ~Hope, 6 th Grade Student