Educational Philosophy and Reflection

Annotated Reference List

I

Kristjansson, K. (2014). There is something about Aristotle: the pros and cons of

Aristotelianism in contemporary moral education. Journal of Philosophy of Education, 48(1), 48-68.

This study focuses on how character education is of critical importance in today’s education because it serves as the foundation for all learning. If the student’s character is not being informed, then the overall aim of education is going to be lost or easily twisted into something negative. The study shows that the philosophy of Aristotle and the teachings of the moral lessons of the classical thinkers can benefit students and help teachers to practice solid character education. This information can be used by educators in their professional practice because it shows how to help focus on character education to boos student confidence and performance in the long run.

Lynch, M. (2014). The true costs of social promotion and retention. International

Journal of Progressive Education, 10(3), 6-17.

This study focuses on how social promotion—the practice of passing along students just so they can stay among their own peer age group through their academic career even though they have not earned the scores that would justify their moving to the next level—is one that is bad for students and for teachers. The study also examines the effects of retaining students and shows that there needs to be a balanced approach to helping struggling students because social promotion is not the answer and retention can be damaging if not handled correctly. This information can be used by educators in their professional practice because it shows how teachers can respond effectively to students who are struggling or at risk of failing.

Stetson, R., Stetson, E., Sinclair, B. & Nix, K. (2012). Home visits: Teacher reflections

about relationships, student behavior, and achievement. Issues in Teacher Education, 21(1), 21-37.

This study examines the positive effects that conducting home visits can have on student potential. It shows how when teachers reach out to students and their families outside the classroom by going to visit them at their homes after school hours, it creates a lasting bond between the student, the student’s family and the school teacher. This bond facilitates educational growth and development, trust, respect, interest and allows for academic performance to improve. Home visits are therefore highly recommended. This information can be used by educators in their professional practice because it shows how teachers can improve student-teacher relations and how teachers can affect a greater bond with students and the community.

II

My professional growth has facilitated a deep awareness within myself of the need for a teacher to be more than just a repository of information in the classroom. The teacher must be operating like a finely-tuned vehicle that helps to advance students from point A to point B safely and soundly. To do so, the teacher must be aware of obstacles that will be faced on the road, how to get around them, and how to help the student to see what needs to be seen along the way. I have discovered that when teachers apply themselves fully to the task at hand, they can have the most rewarding outcomes.

One of the skills that I have learned is that making home visits can be very positive for students and teachers, especially for struggling students. In an atmosphere where teachers are all too ready to pass along struggling students just so that they will not have to deal with the student anymore, this injustice needs to be addressed. Teachers who are willing to give extra time to issues like this will reap the benefits. We need more great teachers—teachers who inspire and truly make an impact. That is why I whole-heartedly support the idea of home visits. It shows students and their families that you truly care about them 24/7. If they trust you enough to send their students to you every day to learn, it pays to go see them and their families after school to show that you appreciate the trust and that you do want to make a positive impression on everyone involved.

This learning has altered my perception of the educational leader’s role. I see that the educator has to be more than a person in the classroom using methods of instruction and relaying information to students. Teachers have to be more civically-minded in the sense that they are part of these students lives and these students have lives that extend outside the school. In order to truly be effective, teachers must be willing to bridge those two worlds, travel outside the school and show their appreciation of the families who send their students there.