TEACHER

Doesn’t it seem like almost every child, willingly or not, have played pretend-school at some point growing up?   That was one of my favorite games to play with my cousins, and when they were disinclined to join, I would play with imaginary students.  I was meticulous in dispensing directions, even if it were just a simple lesson on hand-washing socks in the bathtub. I was a patient teacher, explaining the same steps over and over again while demonstrating the accompanying actions.  Pretend-school was fun, but I never really thought I would become a teacher.  I didn’t really give much thought back then to what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I just wanted to be happy and have fun doing whatever it was that I would be doing.

I’m one of those lucky souls to have found a profession in which I wake up eager to see what the day will bring. I’ve been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years and have taught multiple grades from transitional kindergarten to 3rd-6th grades.  Each grade has its own unique rewards and challenges, but one thing remains a constant throughout.  Teaching is first about relationships, about building rapport with your students and their families, about establishing mutual trust and respect. Without this basic foundation, the learning is fleeting and shallow.

My teaching philosophy is simple and quite basic.  Every student is able to learn to his/her capability when given the proper opportunities to flourish.  Every student is also at the same time a teacher from whom everyone else can learn.  Therefore, I begin each year determined to be the best student in the room in order to provide the most equitable, suitable and nourishing environment in which to deliver the curriculum to ensure that everyone, including myself, thrives.  Pretend-school was fun, but real school is a blast!

 “Those who dare teach must never cease to learn”

-Socrates