teaching philosophy

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that:

• Every student can learn and grow.
• Collaboration is the future of education: student to student, student to teacher, teacher to teacher. This is why I've embraced Google Apps for Education in my class and have set up this page for teachers.
• The purpose of schools is to have students leave high school with their own unique perspective that has been nurtured and encouraged to grow within the classroom, school, and community.
• Schools are engaged the academic and social development of thoughtful people who are able to think critically about their media-rich world and communicate their thoughts clearly, both in writing and verbally.
• Teachers are guides along the educational journey. The educational path does not pass by, but through and around content in different ways that make the journey through school an experience that will create new ways of looking and thinking about problems, issues, and life.
• The role of the Teacher is that of a coach: guiding, supporting, pushing students and colleagues to do their best.
• Classes should be Student centered; with the Teacher as a facilitator, a guide down the path. A guide that must be willing to make the digressions into subjects that, while perhaps unrelated, serves to create thoughtfulness, wonder, and excitement about learning.
• Teachers are also role models, mentors, community leaders, and responsible for the future of the community, country, and the world through their influence over the next generation, and must act accordingly.
• A Teacher must exist in a constant state of learning in order to be an effective teacher.
• Writing is an invaluable skill that should be taught and fostered at every educational level.
• A writing teacher should write.
• A reading teacher should read.
• The two above items must happen where and when your students can see you.
• A sense of community: in the class, within the school, and between teachers is essential.
• Flexibility is a necessity - in my choices of assessments and instructional strategies, and within the structure of the classroom.
• Technology - I embrace the opportunities technologies create to engage, excite, differentiate, share and explore new ideas.
• Strength in reading comes from practice; improvement comes with metacognitive strategies. These two things will help readers of every level.
• I love to teach!
• I love to learn!