Benjamin Franklin once said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." The role of a teacher is not to tell students what they are learning, but to guide students during their learning by taking each child's interests and learning styles into account. In this classroom, we treat each other as family, we make connections, and we understand that each student is a unique learner that can bring something special to the group. While keeping strengths and interests in mind, I believe it it important to involve students in a variety of learning options; whole group, small group, independent, and partner learning. Given choice and direction, students are able to make connections and utilize their strengths.