Detailed Background and Educational Philosophy

Educational Experience | Educational Philosophy | Classroom Tips

1. My Own Educational Experience

I have experienced a variety of educational models both as a student and staff, first in Germany and then the U.S. From these I derive a preference for treating students as intelligent, dignified, and true persons, deserving input in their education and a chance to be responsible for themselves. I always learned best in the environments which did this, and so did my peers.

2. My Educational Philosophy

I teach for the world we have as well as the world we would like to have.

I believe that children are natural learners, that most can learn a lot about many things if they are motivated, and that their primary task is to discover who they are and develop along their natural inclinations and strengths to become decent, responsible adults. Left free, they typically learn with great skill, drive, and aplomb. (As one example, just remember how you cracked the code of your native language when you were little!)

Children will go through their growing years learning about the world and themselves and others on their own steam if we let them. As their elders, we can provide valuable assistance, especially in broadening horizons, illuminating the less visible paths, providing alternative viewpoints and an elder's perspective, by modeling how we do things, and by providing resources, but we should avoid warping their path by imposing our own preconceived notions.

Since the curricula chosen for our young in our schools often appear to our students to have little to do with their natural interests, it is important to be tactful, respectful of the students' feelings and ideas, and link the mandated material to their world and their lives. Creativity and critical thinking will in the future matter more than memorized facts which the Internet puts at our fingertips. New digital learning tools are revolutionizing education. All this means that we are living at a time of change, and so we will do best by adapting to the changing times and learning new methods (or even new missions) as they become available or even developing our own.

3. Classroom Tips

Make your students welcome in your classroom. Chunk the material small and teach it many times in many ways. Be explicit about the material that needs learning. Use videos, interactive tools, and other technology to avoid boredom. Use psychology, humor, honesty, respect, their peers, and your stories. Let them have triumphs. Give clear expectations. If they can't sit still, design activities that let them move around now and then (at least in classrooms that are small enough to keep it orderly). Be consistent, but now and then give them a break. They will thank you by taking directives. Give them opportunities to act responsibly on their own conscience. They may rise to the occasion and grow ever more responsible over time.