In this individual student profile, I present my philosophy of learning. Furthermore, I introduce three goal statement, which I intend to accomplish as a professional educator.

1. Running head: INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PROFILE 1
Individual Student Profile
Cristian Miguez
EBL 5091- Capstone Experience for ESL and Bilingual Education
American College of Education
Dr. Rebecca Wiehe, Ed. D.

2. Individual Student Profile 2
The individual student profile affords me with an opportunity to present my personal
philosophy of learning. Therefore, I will describe aspects of my own learning as well as how I
perceive learning as an intrinsic component of teaching. Furthermore, I will state and elaborate
on three personal goal statements in regards to my academic path at American College of
Education (ACE) while pursuing a Master’s of Education in English as a Second Language and
Bilingual Education. Consequently, this paper will serve as a reflection to guide me as I strive to
become a better equipped, more effective and reflective educator.
Personal Philosophy of Learning
Learning is a journey which drives us through discovery, creativity, mastery and reflection.
There are many roads, which under the guidance of the teacher, take students to the desired final
destination. Therefore, regardless of the chosen path, educators should nurture and motivate
learners to savor every moment of the ride. Furthermore, educators should foster a conducive
learning experience, which ensures a smooth and comfortable learning experience for every
student. Consequently, in order to become transcendental in their practice crafting and delivering
meaningful lessons, educators should take time to get to know who their students are beyond the
classroom walls. Subsequently, educators should challenge their own beliefs, values, and bias
towards certain racial, cultural and social groups.
Education is perceived as vehicle for social mobility. Therefore, educators should act as
agents of change advocating for their students. Furthermore, teachers should have access to the
latest tools and be aware of a wide array of instructional methods to provide each learner with a
significant learning experience. Moreover, educators should act as facilitators of learning,
generating a classroom environment where all learners are active participants in their academic

3. Individual Student Profile 3
journeys. Consequently, learning should be culturally relevant and serve a purpose beyond the
classroom in order to yield enduring lessons.
Goal Statement One
Societies are in constant evolution. Medical and technological improvements are
presented on a daily basis. Therefore, real learning should be dynamic to cope with those
changes in society. Furthermore, teacher training should also be an enduring endeavor in order
provide a meaningful experience for every learner. Consequently, 20 years after finishing my
first college experience I decided to begin a new educational journey in order to become a more
current and better-prepared educator. Moreover, I would also like to encourage fellow coworkers
to join me in discovering new educational philosophies, methodologies, dig into new educational
research, etc. Likewise, it is my hope to infuse life-long learning in my student’s values.
Goal Statement Two
I am passionate about language learning. I considered myself fortunate in life to be able
to function in more than one language. Furthermore, I have taught English and Spanish for over
20 years. However, the intrinsic nature of bilingualism has always piqued my intellectual
curiosity. I firmly believe that any person is capable of becoming bilingual if provided with the
proper tools and opportunities. Therefore, I looked forward to receiving formal training in
bilingual education. Consequently, upon completion of my Master’s degree, I would like to
pursuit a career in a dual-language classroom setting in order to prepare global and bilingual
future leaders.
Goal Statement Three
Teachers experience feelings of isolation along the path of their professional career.
Therefore, upon completing my Master’s degree, I would like to join and/or facilitate a

4. Individual Student Profile 4
Professional Learning Community (PLC). PLCs are appropriate environments to discuss and
find possible solutions to educational dilemmas. Therefore, PLCs foster collegiality among
fellow teachers. Furthermore, a strong sense of collegiality results in higher teacher retention.
Moreover, teachers who participate in PLCs are able to foster community of learners within their
practice. Consequently, in a community of learners, students develop a strong sense of
collaboration and cooperation to achieve academic goals. Subsequently, students share
responsibility and power with teachers. Collaboration, cooperation, power and responsibility are
desired traits, which extend beyond the classroom setting.
Conclusion
A career in education comes with challenges and rewards. Regardless of the amount of
experience in the education arena, teachers are constantly striving to find new ways to deliver a
more substantial learning experience to each and every learner. Furthermore, the role of the
teacher as the sage on the stage is becoming obsolete and inadequate. New educational
philosophies and methodology approaches place learners at the center of the educational journey.
We teach by example. If educators want to generate life-long learners, they should be the first
ones to model it. Palmer (1998) concluded educators teach who they are rather than what they
know.

5. Individual Student Profile 5
References
Palmer, P. J (1998). The Courage to Teach. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.