Educational Philosophy

As former Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, famously explained, "I believe that I am preparing students for jobs that do not yet exist." My students will become adults in a world of ever-changing technological, social, and political needs. Accordingly, I believe it is my responsibility as an educator to think beyond the list of typical academic skills that each student needs to master. 

My job is to help students become strong critical thinkers, empathetic collaborators, and creative problem-solvers. These are skills that will serve students well both in and out of the classroom and in a variety of personal and professional situations. I accomplish this by applying the skills I teach to real-world situations. That could mean working through a project-based learning unit or using technology to create authentic evidence of learning. In this way, students develop the necessary reading, writing, and math skills while seeing how these skills can directly affect their lives outside the classroom. 

I know that each of my students brings their own strengths and perspectives to the classroom community. Each of my students deserves to be heard, valued, and nurtured in my classroom. I strive to create such an environment by implementing practices such as having a morning meeting as a regular part of our classroom routine and welcoming families to be active participants in their student's education. These practices allow for students and families to check in with me, share with their classmates, and practice social-emotional skills like listening respectfully, taking turns, and working as part of group. 

As an educator, I know I'm an essential part of my community and my school. I strive to make a positive impact in both places.