| - MY EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY -
My philosophy as a teacher has always been to maintain the perception that the young
minds sitting before me, or standing beside me during a laboratory exercise, are the future
citizens of our world. I see my responsibility as a guide to my students so that they may grow
towards the development of their own independence and efficacy with acumen, foresight, and
patience as they become the leaders of their generation.
As a teacher of science I have always tried to instill in my own life as well as that of my
students that science is not something to be uncomfortable with, or to utilize as a complete
authority in itself, but rather to use as a tool with which to enhance lives; e.g., in safer health
issues, in safer environmental issues, and in a clearer understanding of the nature of our physical
world.
The miracle is that while convictions, per se, are not designed to change, the nature of
science is that it is always changing as more and more minute details of what has always been
present in our universe are discovered. Science is interesting, it is powerful; but it is only our
minute understanding of a small part of a universe far more comprehensive than our present
knowledge allows us to completely imagine. I try to instill in my students, "Respect these
universal entities and marvel in them. As we are part of the universe, studying science is likened
to studying one's heritage; and studying this heritage is one's guide toward universal truths."
My educational philosophy aligns completely with the philosophy of both my professional
and personal life. It affects my attitude, influences my decisions, and directs my missions with
others. My impact on youth through my years of teaching has proven to be successful;
subsequently, I believe my philosophy is a successful "formula." I believe the impact that I have
made within the educational community, and look forward toward opportunities to continue to
make in this area, is that of acumen, foresight, and patience that at one time several very
wonderful adults, some of them teachers, taught to me.
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