These are my most fundamental beliefs as a teacher:
- A variety of teaching and learning techniques are needed to reach all students because each student is unique and their need is diverse.
- I believe in a Reading, Writing, and Math Workshop format where students have a choice and a response to their learning, where I am meeting needs of all students at their level.
- Learning will be maximized when my instruction is purposeful, interactive, inspiring, and engaging with real world applications.
- Technology should be a consistent and intentional part of my instruction.
- My classroom will be most effective if it is purposeful, meaningful, organized, and authentic.
- What I choose to do and say in the classroom, how and what I teach, profoundly impacts my students.
- Ongoing assessments (of myself and students) should inform my day to day instruction.
- My approach to teaching should be well rounded and one that encourages problem solving, and guides students toward understanding and independence.
- I believe in striving for high achievement standards through research-based instruction and learning activities that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
- Students will learn to respect my authority and learn appropriate classroom behavior when I am clear, consistent, reward positive behavior, and use logical consequences to correct behavior.
- I believe in the power of classroom communities where everyone’s ideas and differences are respected.
- I believe strongly in assessing my own teaching with a critical eye. I expect to see the evidence of my beliefs in my classroom.
