Lumps Of Clay or Raw Material? Defining Your Personal Philosophy
"My classroom is a zoo today!" "It's like I'm banging my head against a brick wall." "I try to weave all the concepts together." "My students are really blossoming." We speak in metaphor all the time. Research shows that everyday conversation makes use of at least four metaphors per minute. A closer look at the language we use demonstrates the power of verbal imagery infused with our values and beliefs. These underlying values and beliefs can provide insight into the goals of those who seek to reform education.
What is your philosophy of education? It pays to know your own preferred metaphors because they influence your teaching philosophy and model for education. In order to improve our schools, getting the model right is not nearly as important as getting the right model.