Eli Hickerson

Mr. Hickerson’s Philosophy of Education

As an educator I believe each and every child is unique and it is important to understand that as a teacher. My goal as a teacher is to help students grow and met their fullest potential. Teachers are guides and provide students with access to hands-on activities. Developing a curriculum around student interests foster motivation and stimulates the passion to learn. It is important to me to invite student dialogue in the lessons and units of study.

 When students have ownership in the curriculum, they are motivated to work hard and master the skills necessary to reach their goals. Another goal of mine is to help students to develop a deep love and respect for themselves, others, and their environment. Class meetings are one way to encourage such dialogue. Setting a fair and consistent rule initially and stating the importance of every activity, students are shown respect for their presence and time. In turn they learn to respect themselves, others their environment.

 Teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. Another goal for me is to plant the seed of learning in my students. In our society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. I will always strive to be the best educator that I can be. I believe children are the future and if we teach them well and let them lead the way.

I will present a curriculum that themes, integrated units, project, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. My classroom will be a caring, safe, and equitable environment where each child can blossom and grow. I will give the tools to become successful in life. Teaching is a lifelong process of learning new philosophies and strategies. I want to teach in a way that they have room to grow and expand on their own.

 It is important to help the students that you are teaching, but also give them direction to help others. After punishment I plan to give the student a fresh start and treat them as equally as other students. I believe it is also important to help students develop their social and interaction skills, and will do this with group work and activities. My overall goal as on educator is to challenge students and watch them grow to their full potential. Teaching I fell is in my blood and most people in my family do teach.

Helping people has been a passion of mine since I was younger in high school. I would talk with my friends and help them through different class work project. I love to help people and believe that teaching is the best place for me to be. I have worked with kids ages 5-12 for most of my career, but also believe that I can be very helpful to high school and middle school ages as well. As a teacher I will help youth to make a difference in their lives. I hope that one day I will have a student that says, “Mr. Hickerson was my favorite teacher.” I had so many great teachers in my past and I hope that I too can be a great teacher.

“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself”-Galileo