With only 6 weeks left to go, I must remember the following words I wrote for an assignment for one of my Masters classes:
Good teachers don’t get their evenings, weekends and summers off. They are constantly exploring new ideas to make their curriculum more interesting. They are developing their own mind, continuing their education, and researching their subject matter. They are observing and becoming active in the community where their school is located to gain a greater understanding of their students. They are observing other teachers, school districts and leaders throughout the community in order to integrate the best ideas on how to teach and present into their own styles. They are working with each other and their administration to provide a cohesive, educational experience for the children who depend on them. And, at the core, they are listening to their students and doing everything in their power to help a child grow.
I adopt these beliefs as my educational philosophy. I choose to teach to be part of a solution to help build a more informed and educated community. My choice is to tell a teenager that I believe in him when no one else does. My choice is to remind my students that every day they have a choice to make about their lives and that they have the knowledge and strength to pursue positive futures.
