Teaching philosophy for individualized student-centered learning approaches

Philosophy of Teaching

The role of the teacher is to act as guide and facilitator for the student. The teacher is not to be the active ingredient but rather a mediator; the student is to be the active participant in his or her own education -- the teacher acts as motivator and helper. Within the school, the teacher is a disciplinarian and guide; within the congregation, the teacher represents maturity, morality, and goodness; within the community, the teacher acts responsibly, always giving a good example of how a moral person should behave.

Learning styles are very different -- because all students are different, have unique talents and varying abilities. There is no reason to assume or expect that all students will learn at the same pace or in the same manner.

Teaching styles, likewise, may vary; as Knight (2008) indicates, teachers approach their role with their own philosophies and this is a necessary part of teaching; it prompts the teacher to be pro-active -- not just in education but also in classroom management and the job of providing for individual differences, both of which are essential elements of the teacher's duty.