Amanda Olson
EDU 275, Sec. 2
October 30, 2008
Philosophy Statement Draft
“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.”
-W.B. Yeats
The purpose of education is to excite in children an appetite for learning. Students come
to us as children waiting to be encouraged, praised, and pushed to become the best people they
can be. It is my job as a teacher to help my students see the strength in who they are and the
possibility of what they can be. The families of my students are vital members of the educational
team: student, family, and teacher. The skills and heritages of the families enrich the educational
experience. Our diverse backgrounds are not something to be feared but embraced. Our own
unique stories strengthen the ties that hold us all together. It is my job as a teacher to seek out
my parents, invite them into the classroom, and create an environment that is welcoming to all.
As a teacher, my mantra is “Consistency is the key.” I strive to do what I say and say
what I mean. I lead by example, and as a class we set our own rules and define the
consequences. I want my classroom to be a community where each individual has a job and
responsibilities that support the group as a whole. When everyone understands their job and the
consequences of not doing it, much of the chaos that can happen in a classroom disappears.
I believe children strive well with routines and organization but also blossom in an
environment of creativity. I believe the arts are not a free time activity, but a mode to teach just
about everything. I believe that students remember concepts when they are made concrete. I
want my students to see, smell, and touch what they are learning about because paper rarely does
anything justice. I believe in reading for the joy of it, and remembering to laugh. And lastly, I
