Philosophy of Education

Civilizations have two choices: to progress or to stagnate and decay. The stereotypical person (not just school-age) most often makes decisions based on extrinsic short-term rewards and follows the easy traditional path. In the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, “We are all tattooed in our cradles with the beliefs of our tribe.”   Education is the fundamental way to preserve values and knowledge to enable growth. A teacher therefore strives to encourage the skills and attitudes needed to develop the competent individual who is intrinsically motivated to take the road described by Robert Frost as “the one less traveled by”.

My personal objectives as a Digital Citizenship / Web Design / Computer Programming / Information Technology and Communication / Tech Support teacher are threefold. The first objective is to cultivate the skill sets necessary to solve problems using technology tools. The second objective is to nurture a life-long work ethic of constant improvement characterized by Stephen Covey as “sharpening the saw”. The third objective is to foster a mindset of organization, collaboration, communication, experimentation, and synthesis.

There are cultural touchstones and scientific concepts that are the root system for a developing mind. Yet, rather than planting a regimented orchard, students must be treated, as stated by John Stuart Mill, as “a tree which must grow and develop itself on all sides.” Every individual is just exactly that – an individual who learns best in different ways at different times at different stages of development.  

Class content must be genuine – perceived and acknowledged by students as relevant – and constantly evolving. Methods and curriculum must not stagnate.  The standards set for my students can be no less than the standards I set for myself.