What is the Purpose of Schools?

The most well-known purpose of school is to teach children the information they need to know to be professionally and educationally successful. In laymen's terms, schools are learning centers. However, should this be the prevailing reason? In the simplest circumstances imaginable I would agree that it should be. Unfortunately, simplicity is not the reality for all children. Within our nation we have populations who struggle with homelessness, starvation, drug addiction, inadequate health care, and the list goes on. As these populations are increasing, schools are now faced with a precursory barrier to teaching their children. For a child to grow and succeed, they must have each of their hierarchal needs met primarily. If the children are starving or without shelter their physiological needs are not met. If they are abused at home, then their safety needs are not met. If they are neglected outside of the walls of the school, then their need for love and belongingness has not been met. In this sort of mental state, they cannot achieve their maximum potential, and any expectations to perform otherwise would be as to suggest they prioritize their education over their survival. We have come to realize that for schools to be efficient learning centers they must wrap their arms around social welfare. Schools are now purposed with ensuring that children are fed, clothed, cared for, and protected. It is not only our problem to aid in these issues, but also to identify signs of them. Over the past few decades, we have seen an emergence of school nurses, social workers, free or reduced lunch programs, and counsellors. Learning is not simply supported by these new roles; it depends on them. Our students who have been disadvantaged by their circumstances cannot grow without them. We all understand that education is a particularly important function of school, but the school's role in social welfare has become a top priority as our nation has evolved.  

My Favorite Tik Tok Teacher

My favorite teacher that I have found on Tik Tok is @learningwithheidi. One of my favorite videos on her channel was about the use of a "heart words" or words with irregular sound spelling patterns. You can follow her page to learn more about heart words and many other methods that she uses to teach her kindergarten class. 

Why Teach?

 When I took my first try at the whole college game I was studying as a music education major. My motivations at the time were to remain enthralled in music. It had very little to do with the teaching aspect of the degree plan. I discovered near the end of my Junior year that I was pregnant, and I knew that what I had to do was take a break from school so that I could be more present in my baby's life during those first few formative years. After my sweet little boy finally arrived I realized that I didn't know what's what when it came to parenting. I became obsessed with researching what was the right thing to do, and how to raise my son. When he turned three, I took a job at a daycare center in order to help me learn more about the best practices for his educational growth. While this job was helpful, I still would find myself at a crossroad whenever I encountered children with behavioral problems, and developmental delays. I simply did not have the knowledge to overcome these barriers and provide them a quality education. This is when I decided to re-enroll in school with the degree designation of elementary education.

My Educational Aims:

After I decided to go back to school, I left the daycare center to find a job closer to campus. I ended up landing a position as the assistant guide at a Montessori school. I had no idea what the Montessori Method was when I started, and I have fallen in love with everything I have learned since. There is a sense of peace and order like I have never experienced before and it's in a room full of twenty five toddlers.  It's a job that I have decided I never want to leave. After finishing my bachelors degree, I plan on taking a summer course to become Montessori certified for the age group 6-9. Furthermore, I have decided to pursue a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. After diving into more research about Maria Montessori, I began to branch out and read about other educational theories. I read studies from Jean Piaget, Freud, J. McVicker Hunt, and many more. Their theories sparked my interest in the psychology behind how children learn, which led to my decision to aim for graduate school. I hope to expand my knowledge so that I may draw on the discoveries of past scientists and educators before me to help find explanations for rising issues that pertain to child development as our world changes.