1. Courtney Runyon
My Philosophy of Education
Through my experience in education classes and clinical experience, I feel students
learn best by actively being involved and taking leadership in their own learning. When I
envision the kind of teacher I want to be, I will have a constructivist teaching style. I feel
students learn little to nothing from worksheets, “straight from the book” reading and
activities, and passively receiving information. Students need hands-on experiences and
opportunities to critically think in the classroom in order to make connections, find a
deeper meaning and purpose, and truly learn the content. Students need to lead their own
learning process and be provided with opportunities to work with and learn from their
peers. Students need to lead the learning in the class by exploring, communicating, working
together, and applying new concepts and ideas to their prior knowledge. Providing many
opportunities for critical thinking creates motivated and independent learners.
It is my belief that no one student is alike. Every student learns material in a
different way. Therefore, teachers need to present the content to meet the needs of every
individual. By doing this, I believe students will be motivated and engaged in their own
learning process. It is my belief that students cannot truly learn until they find their own
motivation.
From personal experience, I believe students are self-motivated and seek inner
gratification. External forces, such as rewards, do motivate students, but only short-term.
Students eventually become bored with material objects and find no purpose in trying to
receive them. Therefore, their motivation diminishes. I believe students seek approval and

2. Courtney Runyon
praise from their peers and teachers. This creates a sense of worth and accomplishment,
which we naturally crave as humans.
Furthermore, teachers should build a relationship with their students and be a
source of support, guidance, and a role model. Students should feel a sense of belonging in
the classroom and feel comfortable. Feeling secure in the classroom is essential in a
student’s learning capabilities. Students thrive in an organized and structured
environment, and high expectations reap positive results.
According to my education theory, I believe it is my job to help my students become
critical and creative thinkers, independent learners, and find self-motivation.