teaching philosophy
I didn't become a Language Arts and French teacher because my family is full of teachers (I have no teachers in my family), because I absolutely loved reading (I didn't like reading growing up), or because I desperately wanted to use French in my career (I didn't even learn French until after I started college).
My desire to become a teacher was rooted in two beliefs: that every person matters and that I am instrumental in helping people know that they matter. I believe that everyone has inherent value just for being real, but even when I was little, I knew this belief wasn't widely held. We work, check the boxes, climb the ladders -- whatever it takes to impress others and prove that we matter to the world, that we have something to offer, and that we deserve to be loved.
I was lucky enough to know people who challenged this norm and instead taught me that I am worthy, just as I am, but it was only by others' love that I felt it was true. When I considered all that I could do in my life, I saw a great opportunity in teaching. I saw the chance to get to know kids, to love them, and to help them see their worth, all while equipping them with the strength, empathy, and skills needed to go change the worlds themselves.
It's about building RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS
At the heart of my teaching is the student. Desiree, Colleen, Jordan, James, Krystal -- all of the young people who I'm privileged to know are the very reason that I teach. Yes, in my classroom, the students learn Language Arts and French, but me? I'm learning about the kids. I'm learning what makes them unique, happy, inspired, loved, and known.
To do this, I focus on engagements strategies that help me connect with my students. Much of our class activities involve student talk, whether as a whole group, in pairs, or writing on their own. I try to create learning experiences that are conversational and interactive so that my students and I are able to get to know each other better, build trust, and deepen our relationships.
Beyond class time itself, I use our down time, whether during passing or transitions, to check in with students about their weekend, last night’s game, or how they’re doing. I believe that stopping to say, “Hello,” before saying, “Let’s get started,” is an important way of letting students know that I care about them as people, not just as my students.
to teach empathY, citizenship, AND SELF-CARE
Of course, my goal in being a Language Arts and French teacher is to help students improve in those subject areas. My content is at the forefront of the learning experience, but underlying the content are the ideas of empathy, citizenship, and self-care. By building relationships with students, I hope to speak not just about their reading, writing, or language skills, but to speak into their lives in more personal ways too.
Many people look at me like I’m crazy for wanting to teach middle school, but the truth is, I love having the opportunity to influence kids’ lives at this critical age. While they’re seeking their true identities and trying to make sense of their moral responsibility, I choose to be present in those conversations. I seek to use my content areas as catalysts for conversations about our influence on others, our role in the world, and our own self-worth.
When we read novels about the Revolutionary War, we talk about listening and understanding others’ perspectives. When we learn about French and Francophone culture, we talk about the beauty of diversity. When we write persuasive speeches and poetry, we talk about the importance of healthy self-expression. Beyond educating students about Language Arts and French, I believe in educating students about empathy, citizenship, and self-care because those values will set them up for living to their fullest potential when they leave my classroom.
because our students WILL CHANGE the world
Whether we help them or not, these kids are growing up. They will change the world, either for better or worse. My students are in the age of discovery, and I want to be present with them in their journeys, not ignore them until they’re older and hope they figure it out along the way.
I don’t just see my students as readers, writers, or language learners; I see my students as people in the present and world-changers of the future. Their current experiences will impact the way they live their adult lives, so I make every effort to ensure that our time together is filled with positive lessons about not just Language Arts and French, but about what it means to be a person sharing this world with everyone else.
All things considered, as a teacher, I hope my students learn this lesson most of all: that they matter, irrevocably and unconditionally, and that they are instrumental in helping people know that they matter too.
My students rallied together to leave anonymous notes of kindness all over the school, changing the world one locker at a time