Philosophy of Education

            Widely accessible and quality education is one of the cornerstones of a free and democratic society in which members are knowledgeable and empowered critical thinkers and problem solvers. We teach our children with the hopes that they will fulfill their deepest desires for self-actualization, develop a love of learning, and learn to be of service to others. As we guide them on their journeys of self-discovery, we have a responsibility to raise their awareness of the many different perspectives, values, belief systems, and ways of being in the world, while teaching them how to utilize their skills and access available resources enabling them to be productive and successful members of their communities.

             It is my goal as a professional educator to establish a safe and inspiring classroom environment, where children are actively engaged in the learning process. Using a variety of teaching strategies, resources, tools, and methodologies, I address the needs of the diverse student population, and am responsive to the various levels of ability, special needs, and ethnic and cultural diversity in the school community. I also ensure that each and every child has a voice, has the opportunity to contribute, and is challenged and motivated to become a life-long learner. Using information from diagnostic, ongoing formative, as well as summative assessment strategies, I plan lessons that are meaningful, broad in scope and depth, and appropriately modified and accommodated for individualized student needs.

In addition to the implementation of a balanced literacy program, my goal is to ensure that all students are able to make connections between the curriculum and real-life experiences. I achieve this by presenting a content-rich, dynamic, and student-centered academic milieu in which individual interests and abilities are considered. My passion for reading, writing, speaking, music, and technology, combined with my enthusiasm for teaching, enables me to develop a program that individually guides students as they actively construct meaning and understanding of their world. When possible, I use technology in the classroom to assist with the learning process, enlarging the collection of available resources for instruction, application, assessment, and evaluation.

As a trusted educator and role model for children, I have a responsibility to reach out to parents, other staff members, and people in the community to build collaborative relationships and strengthen networks in our increasingly disconnected and impersonal society. I invite parents or guardians to be active members of the school community, to participate in their children’s education, and to communicate with reciprocal honesty, openness and frequency with regard to their child’s progress. I work collaboratively with my colleagues and administrators to ensure that students receive the best possible education, devoting time to my duties, team planning, field trips, and extra-curricular activities.

In my classroom, you can see a collaborative community of active learners, treating each other with respect and dignity in a positive, caring, and inclusive environment. Focusing on global concepts and enduring understandings across the curriculum, students develop the necessary skills and abilities they need to create possibilities for themselves which will maximize their opportunities for learning. Using established and consistent routines and instructional strategies, my goal is to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society. Patiently and persistently, I have as my professional objective to provide the structure and framework which is required for each student in my class to best capitalize on these learning opportunities and in doing so, develop to their fullest potential.