Philosophy of Education

By Nancy Kotowski

Children are the world's greatest resource and its best hope for the future.

Education is a life-long journey. A child is born with great curiosity and excitement to learn about oneself and to explore the world. Parents are a child's first teachers. In the family a child begins discovering the joy of learning and discovering his/her tremendous capability as a person and a member of society.

When a child enters school, the educational journey becomes a partnership of shared responsibility. The educational mission is a sacred trust in which teachers, parents, and the community encircles each student with the nurturing, guidance, challenge, opportunities, and resources needed to gradually assume ever-growing self-reliance and responsibility. The learning community is founded on open communication and mutual trust with roles and responsibilities understood, accepted, and respected. The nature of the partnership is critical for the child. The members of the learning community are always building upon each other's strengths and finding ways for everyone to make contributions that are valued and recognized. Every child must know that he/she is an important member of the learning community and feel a strong sense of belonging.

The journey of a life-long learner is challenging and exciting. Along with the joy of success comes mistakes and stumbling along the way. What is important is that all experiences are responded to as learning opportunities from which good emerges. A sense of humor, a smile, and encouragement are often just what is needed as a person reflects on mistakes, gains new insights, and looks to the future. When motivation and discipline problems arise, it is important to listen carefully to the child. The focus is on getting to the root of the problem with the child and working on it together until it is resolved. In the process of helping a child resolve difficulties that arise, relationships are strengthened and understandings deepened about being a member of the community.

As milestones are reached, success is recognized and celebrated. New horizons unfold that call for increasing self-reliance. In closing, my philosophy of education is well captured by John F. Kennedy, "Children are the world's greatest resource and its best hope for the future."