Lifelong Learner

At the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, my long-term goal was for my students to have a positive mindset that allowed them to feel confident in trying. No matter what subject, project, or challenge they face in and out of the classroom, they feel safe and know they are capable of reaching their goals.

Our class motto is “Yes I Can”, one of the main things I encourage is my students asking questions and taking a chance at answering questions, even if they are wrong. I use motivating transitional songs, refer to tests as “Smarty Parties”, leave positive notes on my students’ desks nightly, will not accept “I don’t know” as an answer, and have been working with students in understanding the power of the word “yet”.

Throughout the school year, I have encouraged them to step outside of their comfort zones and have done my part in practicing what I preach. Whether it was participating in the school talent show, standing up and speaking at morning rally, or even starting a fundraising campaign to earn completely new desks and chairs, I found it important that the students always saw me trying (with a smile), no matter the outcome. As we finished our school year, I am SO proud of each of my students. In regards to having to recently perform a silly dance number in front of hundreds of people at our school's 30th Anniversary Open House celebration, one of my students stated: "I realize it's much more ridiculous for me to stand and do nothing, than it is for me to just have fun and go for it!" If there is anything I would have wanted them to take away from our school year together, it is that positive, growth mindset.

As I continue to grow as an educator, I am continuing to learn how to balance not over-working myself to the point of it affecting my personal health. I say this only because I am a naturally enthusiastic, hard-working, and eager to give my all in all I do person. Therefore, I may struggle in putting my needs in front of any of my student's needs. As long as I continue to find the healthy balance in doing what I love to do, I know there is nothing I cannot achieve in my career.

One of my favorite ways to continue to sustain my spark in teaching is to have lunch with my students. It takes away the structure of being inside the classroom and having to remain on one specific topic and allows me to get to know my students one-on-one. Each student has their own personality and set of quirks that allows me to not only understand who they are, but also gets my wheels spinning in innovative ways of meeting their educational needs. Another way I love to stay connected as an educator is to voluntarily attend conferences, workshops, and openly converse with other teachers both in person and online.

"Ms. Moe has been a wonderful addition... Her demeanor with staff, students, and parents is respected, adored, and is considered admirable. Ms. Moe is truly a breath of fresh air and continues to soar to success."- Principal Laurie Warner

If there is any advice I can give any one wanting to begin a career as an educator and/or new to the profession, it would be to always remember who you were at the age of the students you are working with. It is so easy to allow the daily stresses of the job to overpower the true purpose of what you are doing...teaching your students. Every day you walk into your classroom, look at each one of the faces sitting in their desks and remind yourself that as you live your dream, you have the opportunity to guide them to finding their dream. "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can."- Arthur Ashe