Connecting purpose to practice: building philosophical foundations and relevant practices within an elementary school - a way forward through collaboration and investigation
Subject
Abstract
This project is the result of a learning journey toward affecting change in teaching
practice through the development of a set of principles that guide teaching and learning
within the school context. The purpose of the project was to deepen my understanding of
the underlying principles of education and design a resource for teachers to use to bridge
the gap between our beliefs about learning and our practices in the classroom. By
reviewing current scholarly literature related to the principles of education, this project
provided the means to compare and explore current practices in our school as they relate
to the current research on how students learn effectively, and for developing a common
purpose toward which to strive as a school community. Throughout the process of
developing this project, it became clear that collaboration, ongoing reflection, and a
common understanding are key factors in building an effective learning environment. In
order to be purposeful, our practices need to be grounded in strong philosophical
foundations. When teachers have strong beliefs and clear understandings about their
purpose, their practices will change accordingly. Ongoing professional learning is
essential and regular review of the principles that guide our teaching, and their related
practices, are critical for effective change in improving learning for our students.