Educational Philosophy of Jillian Cavanna

 

A work in progress…

 

 

Learning may begin in the classroom, but it is the educator’s job to ensure that is does not end there. I believe that the ultimate purpose

of education is to provide students with the insight and skills they require to embark their own personal quest for knowledge. Education

is not a simple goal to be achieved; rather it is a process, a journey via experience and information that exposes students to new ideas

and teaches them to use their knowledge so that they may find their place in the world. As an educator, I will provide students with the

tools to ensure that this goal is accomplished.

 

Since I view education as a process, I believe that mistakes are an inevitable along the path to understanding. As such, mistakes are

important for students to make and I will not hold it against them for doing so. I will establish an assessment system where students are

given the opportunity to revisit their mistakes and learn from them. It is my responsibility as an educator to provide students with the

information and techniques they need to succeed; however it is the students’ responsibility to try. I believe that the learning process

requires substantial effort on both my part as well as the students’ part. While I will not penalize students for attempting problems for

which they do not know the answer, I will hold students entirely accountable for the effort they put forth. True educational growth takes

place in an environment of mutual respect and commitment.

 

Students are people. They deserve individual respect and understanding. I will be attentive to their unique needs and ways of learning.

One method I will use to do this is to present material in a variety of ways so that each student has the opportunity to comprehend it. I will

show my students respect by answering their questions and pursuing the answer to questions to which I may not know the answer. I will

value the personality of my students, and I will learn to know each of my classes as both a collection individuals and as a unique learning

community.

 

Education is a social experience. In agreement with the ideas of John Dewey, I believe students are inseparable from their social environment.

Consequently, learning must take place within the context of a social experience. In my classroom, students will learn to work cooperatively.

This important skill will be sharpened through group work and an emphasis on learning from one another. In this process, one student can help

another learn, and thereby she, too, can more fully understand what she explains. I believe that cooperation is a vital skill for all students no

matter what they decide to pursue later in life.

As a mathematician and educator, I realize that the material students learn inside the classroom is of great value to them outside the classroom;

however, students must also be aware of this fact. By establishing connections to real world events I believe that my students’ retention and

application of skills will be improved. I will relate material to concepts with which students are already familiar so that new ideas (even

mathematical ones) are more easily grasped and remembered. I believe this can be accomplished through experiential learning. In my

classroom, learning through action and experience will give students a different perspective than in the lecture format. I will accomplish this

alternative perspective through small projects and classroom demonstration where applicable.

 

Difference is not to be ignored. I value multiculturalism and as citizens of a global community, students must learn to value cultural variation

as well. In my classroom I will make connections to the ideas and methods of cultures different from my own. I recognize the importance of

approaching problems in many different ways, and I will incorporate connections to multicultural notions in this regard wherever possible.

 

Teachers are role models. I believe that I am responsible for providing a good example for my students. Therefore, I must act in a manner

which reflects my commitments to honesty, compassion and social responsibility. I appreciate the vast impact individuals can have on society.

Students are in the position to affect the world around them. I believe they must use this power for positive change, whether through

interpersonal kindness or larger impacts. As a role model, I will teach students that they are citizens of their school, their community, and of the

world as a whole. Their actions affect the people around them and the planet itself. In this respect, it is my duty to emphasize the importance of

environmental responsibility as an aspect of everyday life.

 

Education is a multifaceted network of individuals and larger systems working together to promote growth and development in students.

As a teacher, I am only one component in this larger network that services students’ learning needs. Yet, as a part of this system it is critical that

I work in cooperation with its other features, including parents and the outside community. I would like to be active in the school and community

assisting in activities such as student performances, sporting events and community service projects.

I will encourage students to become involved in their community as well.

 

Teaching is not a “nine-to-five” job; it is much more than that. I will commit myself to the education of my students and of myself. Education is

ongoing. I will constantly be learning how to be a better teacher. I will also teach my students how they can become life long learners. In addition,

I will give my students the tools, background, and understanding they need to be a force of positive change in the future.