My life’s work is about aiding in the development of students who will have a positive impact on the world. I strongly believe that teachers must emphasize the importance of clear expectations of behavior and performance when speaking with students. Schools are all about relationship building and I take the responsibility of creating an inclusive and nurturing community very seriously.
I teach to ensure that the students who pass through this campus take ownership of our world. I set community expectations and individual expectations that challenge my students to embrace the world and give of themselves to it.
When my students transition into high school, I want to make sure each of them understands that high school is filled with trials and tribulations that will help them become who they are supposed to be. I spend a lot of time making sure that they each understand that successfully balancing their friendships and their academic careers will be hard, but throughout their high school experience they will become stronger and more focused in all areas if they work hard and put forth effort.
While on the Burgundy Farm Country Day School campus my students are exposed to complex and innovative literature, theories and concepts.
I challenge them to manipulate this information in such a way that all of it becomes absorbed within their consciousness.
- I challenge them to push themselves beyond what they think possible.
- I challenge them to figure out how to transform each classroom that they are a part of (formally and informally) and make that space their own.
- I challenge them to speak up!
I demand that each of my students soak in everything they are exposed to. I want them to digest all of the information and then create something the world has never seen before. I want them to use their voices to force positive change through social justice here and elsewhere.
No matter how uncomfortable they may be speaking up for what is right and just, I challenge them to speak.
No matter how late they have to stay up to truly master a concept or complete a reading task (with appropriate notes), I challenge them to stay up.
I challenge them to engage in all conversations with insightful, well-crafted arguments that force everyone around them—including me—to have “ah ha” moments.
Along with all of these expectations and challenges, I spend a lot of time making sure my students know that they don’t have to do any of this alone. They know that if they ever need some words of encouragement, someone to edit a paper, and/or someone to study with I will be right here willing and ready to help each one of them.
I Am An Educator
An Educator's Expedition 