Voices

Quintilian

I like that Quintilian is one of the first philosophers in the packet who are said to respect the child. With a focus on developmental levels of the students, it seems to me as if Quintilian is one of the first pedagogues. Many predecessors seemed to focus on education for adults, but Quintllian aims specifically at education at an age of physical, emotional, and intellectual growth.

Jesus

One of the things that influences me about the teachings of Jesus Christ is that He believed in universal salvation and worth. I’m particularly interested in the “curriculum and methodology” that the packet describes – a new world order of peace. Pacifism is such a large part of my moral belief structure that I feel this aligns nicely. Also, the note about storytelling as a teaching method is favorable to me, as it provided a universal instruction technique.

Martin Luther

Although certain chronological traits set me apart from Luther (the focus on scripture as an unparalleled tool in universal education), I chiefly agree with a vast majority of his philosophy. The promotion of a universal school for children, girls included, and a focus on literacy is an important part of my philosophy as well. It also struck me that Luther viewed the role of the teacher as essential to the education of the student.

Montessori

This is possibly the educationist whose philosophy I most agree with – the focus on the “discovery of the child” and child development is incredibly important, especially in early childhood education. A lot of the things that the packet prescribes to children in their “sensitive periods,” which it implies are limited to early childhood, I feel could equally apply to all of young adulthood. The role of the educator as a facilitator creating an environment in which students can teach themselves is something that I feel strongly about. The term “spontaneous learning” in particular strikes me as a particularly admirable goal. Although I recognize that it is a necessary evil in the society that will probably exist the duration of my life, I feel like mechanized education is a terrible impediment to what our world could be. That we let students stop holistically developing physically, morally, and mentally is a sad fact, and it is my dream that this becomes a primary means of education.