Educational Philosophy

In order to become better educators, we need to become keen observers of human behavior and champions of human potential. My educational philosophy is centered in investigating the truth. We have to be aware of our students’ needs and their styles of learning. I think we should approach learning as “truth-centered” instead of “student-centered” or “teacher-centered.” By uniting teacher and student to a common vision, we can explore the truth as partners, learn and appreciate each other’s talents and faculties and adapt to find solutions together.

Living in this digital age we also need to learn how to be flexible and adapt quickly. One of the most incredible things about technology is the pace at which it evolves. There’s always a new software update or expansion pack for a video game. By the time we grow accustomed to a technology, a new innovation hits the stage and we have to embrace it or be left behind. I think we need to incorporate that rate of innovation into our classrooms. Classrooms of the future not only have to be technologically wired, teachers need to be technologically minded. We need to be able to change at a rapid pace, explore knowledge in new ways and focus on giving our students skills that could be applied to a number of subjects including the real world.

Students are constantly telling us who they are, what they’re struggling with and, if we listen carefully, what we can do to help them. Recently, I worked as a curriculum specialist at an elementary school working with students from the 1^st-6^th grade.

During a review session with the 6^th graders, one student informed me about her learning preferences. While playing the game “Around the World,” Daniela started to panic when it reached her turn. I asked the question and saw her stumbling to process my question when I knew in my heart that she knew the answer. She finally blurted out in a panicked state, “Mrs. Reyhani! Can I see the question? I can’t remember.” Unfortunately, by the time she expressed her difficulty, her classmate shouted out the answer and she lost her turn. I will never forget the look of frustration and disappointment on her face. That day I thought, what could have happened in that moment that she couldn’t answer the question. I remember writing that very same question on the board the day before and she was the first student to raise her hand with the correct answer. At that moment, I realized that Daniela needs to “see” what is being asked of her. So from that point on, I decided to experiment with different visual aids and would make sure that she could see what was being asked of her. She’s a much happier student and I’m a much happier teacher knowing that it was a matter of finding out how to speak her language and speaking it.

I think our challenge in future education is going to be of a spiritual nature. How can we set aside politics in order to provide our students with the tools necessary to succeed in this world and how can we ensure technology is used for humanity’s progress not destruction? As we’re stretching our capacities and entering a smaller, more complex and interconnected world, we need to exercise responsibility and incorporate a set of values to create a global community where our focus is on collaboration instead of competition and extinction.