Philosophy of Education

Today's students are tomorrow's professionals and leaders. Each one has the right to an education, and each one has the ability to learn. That ability can be tapped when a teacher creates a learning environment where, in general, students:

• Feel welcome, safe, and able
• Receive current and meaningful material
• Are given reasonable behavioral boundaries
• Have parents or guardians who are informed and involved
• Begin to take responsibility for their own education

More specifically, students are successful when they experience a sense of safety and security. In this environment, they can learn to compete and to work with others as a member of a team. Teachers should meet higher-level needs whenever possible and hold high expectations for all academic areas, social skills, and work habits.

Curriculum should be presented in a relevant, effective manner by a teacher who continues to grow professionally. Student achievement is enhanced through current, properly sequenced, interesting, and productive lessons that meet district standards.

A variety of language arts elements should be addressed with regularity, including word identification, explicit and implicit comprehension skills, reading strategies for both narrative and expository text, written expression, conventions, and process writing. A plan to develop both a procedural and conceptual understanding of each mathematical area is essential. Materials, presentation, methodology, and student grouping should reflect thought and efficiency.

Appropriate classroom management is necessary for academic success. Clear, reasonable, and consistent behavioral boundaries for acceptable and unacceptable behavior must be set and maintained. Positive behavior should be reinforced. Consequences should be applied in a firm, consistent, and fair manner. The classroom atmosphere should be one where students are expected to practice self-control and manage their own behavior.

In addition, a strong partnership between teachers and parents or guardians is critical to student success. Regular communication enhances this relationship. Parents and guardians should feel welcome and encouraged to participate in classroom activities. Students will value their education when they share a responsibility for it. Teachers must encourage all students to take pride in themselves and try their best every day.

Respect for faculty and other students should be instilled and fostered. Schools educate the whole child. Students should perceive their campus to be a safe and good place, where they can learn academic skills, experience socialization, realize the importance of family support, and place an importance on education. When this takes place, students can become thoughtful, responsible persons who will one day have something valuable to offer the community.

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