Teaching Philosophy:
“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”
– Carl Rogers
To me, this quote represents the true meaning of education. True learning is not about memorizing information; it is about developing the skills and a mindset to adapt, reflect, and grow. Education should empower students to take ownership of their learning and understand that change is a natural and necessary part of becoming a responsible and compassionate person. Education should encourage flexibility and openness, preparing learners to navigate an ever-changing world. This philosophy also aligns with Indigenous ways of knowing, where learning is holistic, experiential, and rooted in relationships with the land, self, and others.
In my classroom, I will implement this philosophy by creating a student-centred environment where inquiry and reflection guide learning. I think the biggest thing for me to incorporate is the inquiry-based learning approach, where students pose questions, investigate, and share discoveries with peers and teachers. When students engage in reflective discussions and examine how their thinking has evolved over time, they begin to understand that learning is a lifelong process. Research on humanistic education emphasizes that “humanistic education prioritizes individual development, self-actualization, and overall student well-being” (Kumari, 2024), which highlights the importance of a growth mindset, which aligns with what I want to incorporate in my classroom. By adopting this perspective, I will help students embrace change and see challenges as meaningful opportunities to learn.
Overall, I believe that education is a journey of continual transformation. My goal as an educator is to guide students towards becoming curious and reflective learners who embrace change with confidence and compassion, skills that will serve them not only in school but throughout their lives.
Kumari, S. (2024). Humanism in Education: Fostering Student-Centred Learning through
Maslow’s and Rogers’ Theories. International Journal of Research Publication and
Reviews, 5(7), 2447–2452. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.0724.1911