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Students will analyze contemporary educational practices through the lens of historical development and philosophical foundations of American education.

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Students will analyze and evaluate effective teaching techniques in relation to different philosophical orientations.

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Students will identify a specific area of focus for their Action Research Project based on course concepts.

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How have historical events and philosophical movements shaped modern American education?

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Historical Milestones in American Education

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Historical milestones in American education

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Examine current news articles about educational policies and connect them to historical precedents

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Data Systems Early Care and Education Funding Governance Postsecondary Affordability Safety School Choice School Readiness STEM/STEAM Student Health and

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Identify one historical event and one philosophical concept that most influenced your understanding of education. Add your response below.

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Read selected articles on contemporary educational issues and prepare your responses to them for our next class.

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A Look at American Education Issues Today

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Check out our analysis of American education issues and some of the actionable steps to take to empower teachers and students.

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Think/Pair/Share: What historical practice do you observe as an influence in today’s classrooms?  Add your response below.

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Think/Pair/Share: What historical practice do you observe as an influence in today’s classrooms?  Add your response below.

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Begin drafting your personal philosophy of education based on course concepts. Begin drafting your response and add it below.

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In a substantive yet succinct post of 200-250 words or 1-2 minute video, or other media, after reading Mertler respond to the following prompt in the Discussion Board. Post in Canvas by June 1st, 2025

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In a substantive yet succinct post of 200-250 words or 1-2 minute video, or other media, after reading Mertler respond to the following prompt in the Discussion Board. Post in Canvas by June 1st, 2025

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Identify an area of focus for Action Research Project. Discuss your rationale for identifying this area of special interest as the topic for your project.

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Personal Philosophy Statement - Kara Campbell

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Personal Philosophy Statement - Kara Campbell

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I believe that all students have the right to become proficient readers, and that this right must be upheld by teachers who align their literacy instruction with the Science of Reading (SoR). The SoR is a robust, interdisciplinary body of research spanning more than five decades that explains how the brain learns to read and supports the use of explicit, systematic, and evidence-based instruction.

At the heart of my educational philosophy is a commitment to emotionally sound teaching. I believe that confidence, trust, and engagement are built when students experience consistent, meaningful success. My goal is to create instructional environments where learners feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Instructionally, I begin by identifying the earliest mastered skill in a student’s literacy development and use that as a foundation for growth. I rely on performance data to guide every decision I make—ensuring that I am being diagnostic and prescriptive in my approach. Through the use of direct instruction and a carefully structured logical scope and sequence, I provide many opportunities for guided practice and feedback, leading students toward mastery.

I believe with intentional, data-informed, and emotionally affirming instruction, all students can become proficient readers.

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Herbart: Systematizing Teaching (Kara Campbell)

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Herbart: Systematizing Teaching (Kara Campbell)

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I was struck by how many practices I use that were outlined by Herbart's structured instruction. 1 - before introducing a new skill I always make a direct connection to prerequisite knowledge that my student already has to launch into the unknown. For example, if I am going to teach suffix -s, I will connect for my student that they already know the letter s represents 2 sounds /s/ and /z/ and today we will learn that it can also represent meaning when -s follows a base word. 2 - presentation - I clearly present the new concept. 3 - we compare and contrast singular (what student already knows) versus plural (the new concept). 4 - generalize - now we know the letter s can represent 2 sounds and more than 1. 5 - application - I will provide lots of opportunity for practice reading/spelling words with suffix -s in isolation and connected text.

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The recent historical event: Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Supreme Court decision in 2017 that

requires schools to offer students with disabilities individualized education programs (IEPs) designed for them “to make progress appropriate in light of [their] circumstances.” The ruling emphasizes that students with disabilities are entitled not to just any progress, but meaningful progress. This reinforces my beliefs that:

All students have the right to become proficient readers

Low expectations are not legally or ethically acceptable

Instruction must be ambitious and individualized, not generic

A philosophical concept that has influenced my understanding of education is Freire's Liberation Pedagogy. I believe reading is a civil right and he believed literacy is liberation as it grants access to power. He believed educators are agents of social transformation. I agree that literacy instruction aligned to how our brains learn to read, in the hands of all teachers, will promote equality.

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I was intrigued to read about the focus on recitation in classrooms for learning and testing knowledge historically and how that is still such an emphasized aspect of learning today. Historically, students would hand copy information that today a textbook would provide to students. This direct copy of information recited by the teacher was one method of helping students to memorize information. Students would also present a reading to the teacher that they had memorized as a way to prove their knowledge. It is interesting to me that today there is still such a strong focus on memorization of information, and furthermore the matter of “teaching to the test”, as opposed to taking what a student has learned and expanding upon it via different mediums in order to test their knowledge and how they are able to apply it.

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My personal philosophy of education is that all students should be provided with the necessary resources that will ensure their individual success as learners. No matter a child’s ability, language, background, etc., each child has the right to a caring educator that will design classroom and individual learning to meet each individual’s needs. I believe that with a caring educator who places emphasis on the emotional as well as academic needs of their students will contribute to students being more comfortable and empowered to learn in their classrooms. A positive experience with a caring educator early on will help to form a healthy relationship with learning. All educators should strive to make learning environments caring, comforting and equitable.

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The historical event that most influenced my understanding of education was the 2017 Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Supreme Court Decision requiring schools to offer students with disabilities IEPs designed for them. As someone who graduated high school in 2018 and was very familiar with IEP’s and their implementation in schools for students it was surprising to me that this only became a requirement in 2017. I am thankful that this has now become the standard for school as I strongly believe each child should be provided with the supports necessary to ensure their education is as beneficial and equitable for them as any other student. A philosophical concept that most influenced my understanding of education was Dewey’s Progressivism as it emphasizes providing tools for students to reach their full potential allowing them to be critical thinkers prepared for the real world. Their learning is more focused on experiential learning as opposed to root memorization which is something that I feel is often more impactful to students than standardized testing. I feel it is a more empowering method of learning in many circumstances.

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The rhetorical practices and educational principles of Quintilian ( 35-95 CE) can be seen today in modern classrooms.  Quintilian urged teachers to make lessons engaging and interesting. This is something our principal wants to see when she walks in during our observations.

Quintilian recognized the importance of students' individual differences and advised teachers to have lessons appropriate for their readiness and abilities. At our school, we do this regularly with differentiated instruction.

Quinitilian also believed students should be instructed by a competent and ethical teacher, having breaks from academics to play and have recess and play games. This echos what we do at our school with our new focus on SEL.

Quintilian also believed in stage-based learning that corresponded to the patterns of human development.. From birth to age 7 the focus was behavior and speaking well. Age 7 to age 14 was  Quintilian’s second stage, where reading and writing were gradually introduced. Quintilians fourth stage, 17 to 21 years of age, was where students adopted more agency to their learning and their teacher would guide them if necessary. Our modern schools also teach in age appropriate groupings. Our district has a pre-K through 2nd grade school, a 3rd-5th grade school, a 6-7th grade school, and 9-12 grade high school.
In short, Quintilian’s legacy lives on in how American education prioritizes effective communication, moral development, structured learning, and the teacher's role in shaping both intellect and character.

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Personal Philosphy Statement (Wendy Schwartz)

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Personal Philosphy Statement (Wendy Schwartz)

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I believe that the learning environment is very important to student success, especially in a middle school math classroom. I want to encourage positive interactions and active engagement in m classroom. In this stage of development, middle schoolers are forming attitudes toward learning, self-confidence, and problem-solving. My goal is to create a math environment that is safe, engaging, and growth-oriented—where all students feel empowered to make mistakes in order to develop a deep understanding of mathematical thinking.

Math anxiety is real, and I aim to counter it by cultivating a classroom where students feel emotionally safe. Mistakes are welcomed as part of the learning process, and respect is a non-negotiable norm. Students should know they can try, fail, and try again without judgment.

Hands-On and Interactive Learning

I believe math is best learned when it’s active. I design lessons that go beyond the textbook—incorporating manipulatives, games, technology, and real-world problem-solving to make abstract concepts meaningful.

A middle school math environment must be both structured and adaptable. Clear routines and expectations help students feel secure, while flexible pacing and differentiation ensure that all learners—whether struggling or advanced—can progress at their level.

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The Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education fundamentally shaped my understanding that education should be a civil right rather than a privilege. It highlighted the deep inequalities in the American education system and affirmed that separate is not equal. This case continues to influence my commitment to equity, inclusion, and access for all students—especially those from historically marginalized communities. It reminds me that education is both a tool for personal advancement and a lever for social justice. Even 70 years after this decision,  I see even now how segregated our schools in Connecticut still are. Bloomfield Public School’s population  is under 8% white, where it’s neighbors of Simsbury and Avon are both only 5% Black. Connecticut is one of the top most segregated states.

Progressivism influenced my understanding of education. Progressivism is a student-centered approach that emphasizes active learning, real-world problem-solving, and fostering a democratic and cooperative learning environment. This type of learning is essential in a math classroom where abstract formulas need to be applied to the real world.  Progressivism prioritizes engaging students in meaningful experiences that are relevant to their lives, rather than simply focusing on rote memorization of procedures and the plug-and-chug of  mathematical formulas.

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After completing the readings this week, it was so interesting to learn about the importance of the pioneers of education in today's classrooms. I was interested to learn about the influence of religion in early teaching - this is something I had never explored before! One particular name that stuck out to me as still being a big influence in classrooms is Maria Montessori. She stated that students should learn via self-directed and self-motivated activities and lessons - essentially: children should learn what they want to learn. Although many k-12 teachers argue they have little freedom (which I do think depends on the district you work in), preschool is a whole different ball game. As a preschool director, I am able to decide how my program is ran and what is important. I find myself paralleling many of Montessori's teaching philosophies in my own. My students are in charge of a "head teacher week," where they choose a theme for the learning activities preschoolers will participate in. The bulk of their lesson plans circle around our "center time" portion of the day, where students get to choose the activities they engage in. I have many conversations with my students about the importance of balance with this approach, because sometimes they don't know how fun an activity is until they try it for the first time! For that reason, we encourage the preschoolers to visit each center daily, but the length of time they choose to stay is up to them. If they are really interested in something, they can stay and further their knowledge with their teachers. We have certain preschoolers who are super interested in writing, so we scaffold that and further their practice from the day's activity.

Essentially, Montessori was a pioneer of education who still has philosophies that are used to this day. I parallel much of her thinking when I formulate the preschool activity plan for the year because it allows the students to learn what they are interested in which helps to foster a love for learning in their minds.

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Personal Philosophy of Teaching (Julia Smith)

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Personal Philosophy of Teaching (Julia Smith)

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As a family and consumer sciences teacher, I understand the importance of bringing real-world connections to the classroom. Students who understand the "why" of the content they are learning and who understand the future implications of it are more likely to be engaged in deeper learning experiences. Along with that, to deepen student understanding, I strongly believe in a project-based classroom that assesses students on their ability to apply classroom knowledge to the real world, whether it be their future plans or adult life in general. Having the ability to take skills and further apply them is a skill that will follow them into adulthood. By fostering a classroom environment where everyone feels included and important, students are more engaged with the content to practice independence as well as interaction simultaneously. A project-based classroom with real-world connections is one that fosters all these skills, crucial for their future endeavors.

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One historical event that influenced my understanding of education was the launch of the Common Core Standards in 2009. I dive into this with my "middle childhood" class, where we touch on what special education is and what it means to support all students. It is interesting to me the process behind these standards, along with the pros and cons of having something like the common core in place. I think this is absolutely crucial when thinking about students who move around a lot. I had some family who were in the military, and going from school to school, it was an easier transition for them to be able to essentially pick up where they left off no matter the state they were in. Of course the common core has its' issues and needs to be reworked (I think about no child left behind - great intentions, but needed to be worked on further), but all in all, I think it is a well-intentioned program that allows for a point of measure for high school diplomas (with the common core - we can now say for certain a set of skills that children have who graduated all across America).

A philosophical concept that influenced my understanding of education was Piaget's stages of development theory. This is a rather old theory so it has had its' criticisms, but I do feel like there are some points of the stages that are really important. I feel like this had an influence on the decisions to put students into "grades," essentially staging them up until they graduate from high school, and even into college. I think Piaget had some really interesting points in his theory about how children learn through 12+ and how that can be taken with our now stronger understanding of child development to further the stages in this theory.

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Personal Philosophy Statement Kiersten Oszmian

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Personal Philosophy Statement Kiersten Oszmian

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I believe that on a fundamental and foundational level education must meet the learners where they are currently and should inspire them to set goals for higher.  A teacher’s position is to promote an environment where the student feels safe to learn according to his or her own needs.  As an aspiring educator, my personal goal is to have a positive impact on my community by the ways of both a more structured setting of higher education and a less structured environment of parenting and family support and classes.  As an adult student myself, I understand the challenges some students face as they make the equally heavy and important decision to re-enter the world of “school.”  Which is why I believe it's vastly important that students of all walks of life feel welcome in a classroom.  Education is an ongoing and lifelong opportunity to grow as a human being.

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1989 Introduction of the first Digital University

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1989 Introduction of the first Digital University

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As someone who has GREATLY benefitted from the opportunity to earn my degrees on an online platform I loved seeing this piece of history on the timeline. In 1989 we see the introduction of the first digital university, University of Phoenix. I can remember when I first told a friend's dad that I was going back to school and it was fully online, he said something like "oh be careful with those." He was implying that an online school wouldn't have the same merit on my resume that a more traditional university or college would. Fast forward five years and we see just how important and valuable it has been to have access to digital learning! I can speak for myself and other parents who have chosen to further their education, it can be quite tricky balancing family responsibilities with school tasks but having the opportunity to do it from home was a game changer. I never would have been able to go back to school when I did if it hadn't been for Goodwin offering online programs and it is something I'm incredibly grateful for!

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I will never forget learning about the courageous Ruby Bridges. In elementary school we were taught about the passage of the civil rights act and we were given the opportunity to watch the movie depicting the first day Ruby Bridges attended a formerly all white school. As a young girl I was honestly confused, how could humans treat other humans in such a horrible way, and at school no less. As an adult I am even more impacted by the timeline and historical events involved in desegregating everything, especially education. Education should be accessible for all and it is not a matter of anything except civil right. It never ceases to shock me that even after so much time has passed and that people like me, who were educated at a young age about the historical and human significance of this time, that we are still facing disparities in our education system. It is clear more people need to be educated and more people need access to that education! A philosophical concept that most influenced my understanding of education (without me knowing it!) is pragmatism. While it is not the same as the Montessori approach there does some to be some crossover between the two. Again, I am not in the educator position quite yet but I feel I can contribute to this from a different angle. I attending traditional public schools and it was not until my younger sister was going to preschool did I learn about Montessori schools. Now fast forward to having children of my own, I can say without certainty I can see a difference in my children's ability to retain information as well as the excitement about learning when they are engaged in a more pragmatic learning environment. My experience as a student of massage school can be applied here as well. Everything we did was hands on or directly applicable to becoming a massage therapist. There was no busy work. Everything had a purpose and it made, for me, learning more fun and more exciting! I would describe that structure of learning to coincide with pragmatism.

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A historical practice observed in today’s classrooms is the emphasis on learning through active, hands-on experiences. This approach is rooted in John Dewey’s philosophy of experiential learning, where students learn best by doing, exploring, and reflecting on real-world experiences. It’s also influenced by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi’s belief in educating the whole child — nurturing the mind, body, and emotions. I was fascinated to read and learn that today's teaching culture is not new and has been around for a very long time. What we often call “new” methods of teaching are not necessarily new at all, but rather modern adaptations of these time-tested educational philosophies. This connection highlights how enduring and relevant these foundational ideas remain in shaping effective, student-centered classrooms today.

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I truly believe that every student, regardless of their economic status, race, environment, or any other circumstance, has a fundamental and social right to an equal education. Every child deserves access to quality resources, meaningful opportunities, and a supportive learning environment where they can grow, explore, and express their creativity. Education should be a place where diversity is embraced and where all students feel empowered to reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

I also believe that to provide these equal opportunities for our students, educators themselves must be supported: mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When teachers are nurtured and valued, they are better equipped to create environments where students thrive. Additionally, our communities and employers must be actively involved in supporting school systems, working in partnership with educators to build strong, inclusive, and well-resourced educational spaces. Together, through collective effort and shared responsibility, we can ensure that every child has the chance to succeed and flourish.

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One historical event that deeply shaped my understanding of education is the Brown vs. Board of Education decision, which declared segregated schools unconstitutional and affirmed that all students deserve equal access to quality education. Its impact is still felt today, especially in urban districts like Boston, which faced decades of challenges following the 1974 busing order. I attended school in South Boston during the 1980s and 1990s, a time when racial tensions and unequal resource distribution were still very present. As a junior at South Boston High School in 1993, I personally witnessed the South Boston High Riot, nearly 20 years after the initial desegregation efforts. That moment opened my eyes to how deeply social and racial issues continue to affect educational environments.

These experiences, combined with the philosophies of Pestalozzi and Dewey, shaped my belief that education should nurture the whole child: mind, body, and emotions, while providing equal opportunities to learn, grow, and create. My journey through Boston’s public schools taught me that equity in education is not just a goal, it’s a responsibility shared by all of us.