Stephen Vold's Experience and Growth by Way of Educational Psychology Class

Educational Psychology and Philosophy Reflections on ED300, 2009
"Plants are shaped by cultivation and men by education. .. We are born weak, we need strength; we are born totally unprovided, we need aid; we are born stupid, we need judgment. Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education." (Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile, On Philosophy of Education)

Aristotle
From the Fresco School of Athens by Raphael
There are many theories on education and learning: Vygotsky, Piaget, Maslow, Adler, Freud and many others all hold some basic concepts that are valid. Humans are so complex that no one concept can totally explain human behavior. Just as there is no one specific way to teach all students there is no one correct way to teach a class. Every teacher has to discover their own style, that works for them and the students.
Our society is changing at a pace unprecedented in all of human history. A teacher must constantly be modifying schemas and adapt and accommodate. The stories that I hear from teachers in the community and in our Educational Psychology Class are often negative and may give a potential teacher a sense of apprehension. By observing several classes at George Washington High School much of my apprehension has been diminished. The question that I then asked myself was why were some classes so well behaved and on task and others were less so. Were some students an uncontrollable problem or have the teachers just not figured out the best way to maintain a proper learning environment. From the discussion I have had with teachers that I know, the general opinion is that it is the teacher that makes the biggest difference.
I only remember about 10 of my elementary and secondary teachers. Some in a positive light and some I do not have a very high opinion of. My philosophy in life and in education is to always try my best and if I fail, learn and move forward. I would hope to be one of the teachers that is remembered as making a difference all the way until my student's have children entering the educational system and beyond.