1. Read the suggestions for writing a philosophy of education and the sample philosophies written by former education students.
   
   
2. Write your philosophy of education. This is a one page (no more, no less!) statement of your personal beliefs about teaching and learning. Typically, it is single-spaced with a space between paragraphs. It requires a great deal of soul searching, wrestling with the essences of what is important to you. It should NOT be a treatise on good educational practice as if written by a textbook author. Hint: Use "I believe" statements to help you get started. This is not what others believe, but your own beliefs. This personal philosophy statement will be important to you as you create your educational portfolio, present yourself in job interviews, select a setting that fits you, or complete your Continuing Licensure.
   
   
3. On separate pages, discuss your educational philosophy statement relative to the philosophical and theoretical orientations described in Task 4.
   
   
4. Historical Perspective: Analyze your philosophical orientation in historical perspective (you can add to part C, but please label as Historical Perspective. Discuss your beliefs related to the issue of power. What influences, threads, and themes from the past have shaped your educational philosophy?

NOTE:
E-mail your completed task to Sally Atkin, satkin@southwestern.cc.or.us, for feedback and grading.