Supervisory_Platform_and_Philosophy

Supervisory Plaform and Philosophy Kimberly Fasarakis EDA 551 Mod 3 – Oct 10, 2012 There are different philosophies of education that permeate the school systems. This is what drives the mission and emphasis of each school. It varies from school to school and may have a variety of philosophies embedded and woven within. I hold two separate philosophies of education. I hold experimentalism and existentialism. The experimentalist recognizes the changing world around us. Experimentalism views "the world as an ever-changing place [where] reality is what is actually experienced and change is openly accepted" (UOP, 2002, p. 48). The teachers are able to guide the learners through situations and problems in society, and help them to decipher through them. This is an existentialist idea of subjectivity with an experimentalist view of society. "The existentialist sees the world in terms of personal subjectivity; goodness, truth, and reality are individually defined … goodness [being] a matter of freedom" (48) There are a few things that must change in education if a platform is set for me. First, I believe we need to move away from the results of high stake testing, and we need to focus on the well being of the whole child. We must place emphasis on respect and safety, along with each student taking responsibility of his/her own learning. It is also important that t he teachers are engaged in professionalism that keeps them engaged and committed. If the teachers are able to grasp the vision and be proactive and driven, they will need less direct supervision. The supervisor must realize that more can be done with a team collaboration spirit than that of a driving forceful managerial sense. The purpose of supervision is to improve instruction. If the teaching staff does not feel like they are under constant watch and scrutiny, they will be more relaxed and hence could be more productive. This will also foster a more learning friendly atmosphere. I believe the teachers need to learn form one another. It is important for teachers to be able to share experiences in the classroom. This may entail what a lesson looks like, but also what strategies that work for a particular individual. It is important to recognize the fact that learning is a process that even teachers can learn from the students. It is important to build relationships with parents as well as with students. A student will tend to respond better, if a there is a relationship started between the teacher and themselves. It has often been heard that it takes a village to raise a child. If the teacher does not have a good relationship with the supervisor, he/she may portray that in dealing with the students. It is important for a teacher to teach a child love and respect. As a child learns this he/she will become more tolerable in the community. The learning that a student does may vary. I enter the portals of the educational doorway with a sketched out plan for the day however, I may not follow that plan. It is important t o communicate with the students to see where they a re on a given day. I do not use the curriculum, as a one all is all. it is a guide that I may look at , but the curriculum does not determine exactly what I teach. My students’ needs determine which route I must take. This route may vary from class to class, for individuals. References Berry, B., Moore, R. (2010). The teachers of 2030. Educational Leadership, 67 (8), 36-39. Pratt, D. D. & Collins, J. B. (2001). Teaching perspectives inventory. Retrieved Oct 10 2012, from http://www.teachingperspectives.com/html/tpi_frames.htm University of Phoenix (Ed.). (2002). Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction [University of Phoenix Custom Edition e-text]. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.