Running head: PHILOSOPHY OF 1
Philosophy of Special Education
Grand Canyon University: SPD 501
, PHILOSOPHY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION 2
Philosophy of Special Education
I ignite a fire in the minds of students. Students that often feel school is challenging and
that they do not fit in. To inspire students to be a productive part of society is my goal. I believe
in feeding this fire with excitement for life and learning. According to William Butler Yeats
(n.d.), “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” I care about students and
their learning. A student is not in a classroom solely for input of information. Students are in
school to learn appropriate subjects for his/ her age with the guidance of a teacher. I teach not
only the student, but their parents too. I value the team. The team of: student, parent, school staff
and community all come together to impact the learning and growth of each individual. We are
all stakeholders in the education of the children. My experience has taught me strategies for
teachers who strive for more inclusion. I strive to grow myself and I aim to model integrity and
sound judgment in all that I do.
Purpose of Education
Education must ignite minds. Hansdah (2019) states, “The purpose of education is to
instill the spirits of humanity and virtues to young mind.” Education is not to fill a mind with
knowledge or the ‘right’ things to do and say. Education should excite students to want to learn
and do more. “Learning is hard work, and can be very uncomfortable. We are asking students to
add to their knowledge and, perhaps, change their thinking, or their approach to thinking. This in
turn changes the essence of who they are” (Wygal, Stout, & Cunningham, 2017, p. 22) Sitting in
a classroom should be an experience- an experience that shapes a child’s future. Education
should change a student. A teacher holds immense power in the molding of students. Education,
passion and respect for knowledge are necessary attributes for a successful teacher. A successful
teacher uses a classroom as a practice space for life.
Philosophy of Special Education
Grand Canyon University: SPD 501
, PHILOSOPHY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION 2
Philosophy of Special Education
I ignite a fire in the minds of students. Students that often feel school is challenging and
that they do not fit in. To inspire students to be a productive part of society is my goal. I believe
in feeding this fire with excitement for life and learning. According to William Butler Yeats
(n.d.), “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” I care about students and
their learning. A student is not in a classroom solely for input of information. Students are in
school to learn appropriate subjects for his/ her age with the guidance of a teacher. I teach not
only the student, but their parents too. I value the team. The team of: student, parent, school staff
and community all come together to impact the learning and growth of each individual. We are
all stakeholders in the education of the children. My experience has taught me strategies for
teachers who strive for more inclusion. I strive to grow myself and I aim to model integrity and
sound judgment in all that I do.
Purpose of Education
Education must ignite minds. Hansdah (2019) states, “The purpose of education is to
instill the spirits of humanity and virtues to young mind.” Education is not to fill a mind with
knowledge or the ‘right’ things to do and say. Education should excite students to want to learn
and do more. “Learning is hard work, and can be very uncomfortable. We are asking students to
add to their knowledge and, perhaps, change their thinking, or their approach to thinking. This in
turn changes the essence of who they are” (Wygal, Stout, & Cunningham, 2017, p. 22) Sitting in
a classroom should be an experience- an experience that shapes a child’s future. Education
should change a student. A teacher holds immense power in the molding of students. Education,
passion and respect for knowledge are necessary attributes for a successful teacher. A successful
teacher uses a classroom as a practice space for life.
