Teaching is my passion as well as my chosen profession, so once I have a soapbox to discuss education, I have a hard time stepping off of it.  Discussing education is one of my pet hobbies, so feel free to engage me in a discussion anytime-anywhere, and we can talk far and wide.  Below I've listed just a few of my educational "beliefs," in no order of importance.  This hardly sums it up, but it's a starting point to help you get a sense of who I am as a teacher.  Of course I am constantly evolving with every student interaction, every professional book I read, every discussion with a fellow pedagogue.  Teaching is synonymous with learning, which is why I enjoy it so much.  Here's a snapshot of where I am on my journey.

* Every student (and human) has the right to learn something new every day.  Furthermore, a gifted student has as much a right to learn new things on his/her own level as any other student.  As a teacher, it is my ethical obligation to ensure that every student is learning every single day.

* Mistakes are an essential part of the learning process.  If we never take risks, it is nearly impossible to grow.  My goal is to establish a classroom environment where every learner feels comfortable taking academic risks, knowing that he or she will be supported when those risks result in mistakes. I want all of my students to be learning "on the edge."  It is so much more productive and exciting that way!  

* Education is about the journey, not the destination.  Oh no, now I sound like an awful bumper sticker, but the truth there is undeniable.  When I approach education as an exciting journey, all of the detours, side-conversations, and student-led explorations become an important part of the learning, not distractions.  This approach leaves a world of room for students to nurture and explore their own passions, to grow as socially responsible individuals within a community, and to experience the power of building and uncovering their own truths through exploration.

* A classroom is a family.  It is, indeed, that complex.  The only universal fact is that every single member is essential to the health of the entire family.  Like any family, while we may have disagreements and struggles at times, at the end of the day, we always "have each other's backs" when facing the world.

* A learning community should celebrate the passions and talents of all of its individuals.  While we do not have to share the same interests and talents, we must always respect and encourage these in one another.  Nothing bothers me more than a child who feels that he must apologize for or hide his uniqueness, giftedness or talents.  Our world desperately needs divergent, creative thinkers, and the talents of every child must be nurtured, not discouraged. Everyone has the right to feel proud of their accomplishments and talents!

* I aspire towards my own obsolescence in the classroom.  That is, my goal is for my students to become so independent and peer-reliant that I am simply the rather large fly on the wall that occasionally butts in with a well-timed question. 

* Expect more, and then even more.  Have the highest expectations for yourself, your peers, the world around you, what every new day will bring.  I need to create a sense of urgency in my classroom and my life.  I want everyone to realize that our work is important, our time is fleeting and too precious to waste, so let's get started!  (Which is very different than saying that learning should be hurried, tied down to the clock - none of that, please.)

* As one of my (fictitious) teaching role models, Ms. Frizzle, always says: 
"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!"  That about sums it up.

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