I believe in fostering one’s strengths ...
instead of focusing on improving one’s weaknesses. People are happier and much more productive if you let them do what they love and what they are good at. Find out what your students and staff excel at and give them opportunities to shine.
I believe in teaching inquiry and reflective practice...
Content and knowledge are changing and being added to every second. How do you decide what content to teach? Teaching students how to ask good questions, how to find answers to those questions, and how to analyze their thinking by reflecting is what I think needs to be the focus.
I believe in educational equity and diversity...
I believe that quality education is a right for all students regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or socio-economic status. Education needs to be equitable and serve diverse populations increasing cultural understanding and tolerance.
I believe learning does not necessarily have to happen at school…
Mark Twain’s quote “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education,” resonates strongly with me. There are so many learning experiences that happen outside of the classroom. I believe in going beyond the walls of the classroom often either physically or digitally to enhance learning experiences.
I believe in educating the whole child…
Education for me is much more than teaching the core subjects. School is supposed to prepare students for the real world and to do that you have to educate the whole child. I believe this can be done by giving them opportunities to develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Modeling and teaching mindfulness, wellness, and responsible behavior will help create students that are happier and better prepared for life. I also feel that soft skills like collaboration, communication, conflict resolution, and adaptability should be practiced and refined during a student’s educational career.
I believe in personalizing the educational experience...
The freedom to choose is a powerful motivator. It gives students ownership of their learning allowing them to personalize their academic experience. Every student is unique and has different learning needs. By providing choices, teachers can differentiate for varying learning styles. These choices can be around topics of study or in the way students present their understanding.
I believe technology has tremendously enhanced learning ...
The way technology has changed learning in the last thirty years is truly amazing. We now have the power to find information instantly. Students can learn virtually anything on their own by searching the Internet. From virtual field trips to flipping the classroom, technology has enhanced education in infinite ways and should be integrated into the classroom daily. However, there is a time and place for technology and we need to teach students how to use this powerful tool responsibly.
I believe in lifelong learning…
Learning never stops and can happen anywhere. You learn from people, experiences, through reflection and by making mistakes. Whether it’s taking college courses, attending professional development, watching online tutorials or going on a trip to a new place, opportunities to learn present themselves everywhere. As teachers, it is critical to have a growth mindset and to never stop learning. I believe modeling lifelong learning, instilling a love of reading in students and giving them diverse learning opportunities can encourage them to develop a growth mindset too.
I believe in second chances…
I believe in giving people the freedom to take risks and to try new things. Regardless of the outcome, taking risks will lead to new experiences and new knowledge. Making mistakes is the best way to learn because you get to experience it first hand. The classroom should be a place where students are comfortable taking chances and they should always be offered opportunities to try again.