Existentialism

          As we all grow as teachers, we all develop a philosophy that we will teach by.  A teacher is usually known by their philosophy and style of teaching.  When we all do our observations during the winter recess we will start seeing some of the different philosophies.  We might take bits and pieces from one or two philosophies and then build it into one philosophy to call our own. Dr. Baldwin has given each of us a survey so we could get an idea on which philosophy we might each fall under.  I seem to fall mostly under existentialism, which happens to fit me to a "T"

               Existentialism seems to fit me best because I feel that people need to be independent, with self discipline.  If people depend too much on other people, they won≠t be able to make it in the real world.  So, if the person is independent and capable of taking care of themselves; they will not be sitting around saying, "Mommy, Daddy, I need you to do my laundry" at the age of 21. They would be fresh out of college, working in the real world taking care of them with the reward of knowing they don≠t need mommy and daddy's help. 

            In order to develop my students into young adults who practice what they believe in, but are also strong enough to take the consequences of what could happen.  They would have to develop their own independence and self discipline in which they would be able to set out for things on their own. I would let them make their own decisions in the classroom, and possibly set their own rules.  This will encourage them not to be afraid of doing things on their own, that they will be capable of setting their own standards with out any help.   The students should not have to be taught the traditional way, they need to know that they can have a choice in what goes on in their lives.  They also need to be willing to live their own lives, the way that they want to.

            As a teacher I have to play my part and make sure I teach them how to follow their hearts.  I would do that by holding discussions with role playing on choice making in their own lives as well as others.  I will also show them the many consequences that could happen with each choice.  I would also get the children involved by playing games, or teaching them the material through something they all enjoy; for example:  turn a popular song into a lesson, or make a game out of the material.  I will also make class as entertaining so they learn the material and do not want to stop learning.  I will also build relationships with each one of my students so I could help them learn on a "one on one" basis, as well as a group effort.

            As teachers we all gain our own philosophy.  Some of us may keep the same ones; some of us may change it by taking a few more bits and pieces from other philosophies we, at one point felt we did not believe in.  I believe, from what I have learned, existentialism best suits me, now.  Ten years from now it might not anymore; I might be a behaviorist, an essentialist, or even a combination of all of them.  Until I learn more about the philosophies, this is what I believe I could be.