Each day my philosophy of teaching becomes more focused and more precise. I work to assure that wisdom and knowledge are hallmarks of my classroom. This is not just a place to learn academics, this is a place to instill future personal success. And how does that future personal success happen? It begins with respectstudent respect for me and my respect for them. When a teacher earns that, shared values grow. Students--sometimes isolated or unsure or intimidatednow feel understood and appreciated. When their teacher models perseverance, resilience and hope, they feel someone cares, really cares. Now something great happensthe feeling of being accepted, being valued, being honored, being validated and being appreciated.
What if there is a student reluctant to speak out in class? My students are safe, my rules are fair, my field of vision is inclusive and my belief is unwavering. Once that student speaks, even if the answer falls short, we help tweak it to perfection. Will that student speak again? You bet. Someone listened, even if just for a moment.
My philosophy for teaching, you ask? Teachers believed in me the same way I believed in them. Passionate and caring teachers help them succeed. Great teachers go further. They show them how to live lives of promise, of anticipation, of happiness and of personal accomplishment.
We move forward together, student and teacher, determined and sure of our destination, searching for the successful prize that waits out there, just ahead.