Philosophy of an educator
As a teacher, I am a liaison between the curriculum and the child. I represent the collective faculty, staff, and administration of my building. I am an agent of my school system and of my community as a whole. However, a teacher’s role covers so much more. Successful, motivated, enlivened children come from environments rich with parental support, community involvement, extra-curricular engagement, rigorous academic standards, and a “make no excuses” attitude toward achievement.
Superman at home: I believe Ronald Reagan hit the nail square on the head when he said, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." Few topics seem to ignite the fiery debate that education sparks with regard to political tampering and who, exactly, should be held accountable for the success of our youth. When we take a close look at communities with the highest achieving academic settings, ONE common characteristic stands out loud and proud: Superman is at home. No teacher, administrator, nor politician can begin to have the influence on a child that a parent or guardian has. As an educator, I include parents in every detail of my classroom agenda. I don't just work with children; I work with families. "In loco parentis" is a Latin phrase meaning “in the place of the parent,” and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly. In the broader spectrum, the phrase comes to define exactly who and what a teacher is. Everything I do as an educator—every word I say, every assignment I give, every move I make—is done so with specific intent. A teacher’s responsibility is to have, at all times, her students’ absolute long-term best interest at heart. Between the bells: My personal and professional résumés blend nicely with my classroom experience to produce a calm, flexible teacher who succeeds by building a strong personal rapport with both students and parents in a levelheaded classroom conducive to fostering a love for lifelong learning. My teaching style is inquiry-based with a focus on communication and reasoning skills in a technology-forward classroom. Students in my care make strides far and above the standards. In addition, I am a woman of broad experience. From running an independent family garden shop to reporting at the Beijing Olympic Games and sitting on the board of an Indianapolis nonprofit, I am a community-oriented educator with a flare for worldly influence. Beyond 7 A.M.-3 P.M.: Students involved in extra-curricular activities are best equipped to face future academic, professional, and social challenges. As we prepare them for a dynamic world and an unpredictable workplace, these future-ready skills have never been more important. I both encourage and celebrate students’ engagement in after-school activities. It is not uncommon to see me cheering loudly in the bleachers or applauding wildly in the theater, and I most definitely recognize my active students in the classroom. Community service is another essential component of education. It is only through service that we establish a grasp on the world around us. Local and regional service projects are at the core of my beliefs about education and personal growth. |