Educational Philosophy Statement

As educators, we work to engage and motivate students so they want to learn, read, think critically and ultimately become life-long learners and leaders. This is not an easy task. Yet when a child finds the love for reading, enthusiastically gets involved in a research project, or makes a personal connection that excites them, as a teacher, this makes me smile! Similarly, effective educational administrators purposefully and deliberately strive to create a climate and culture that encourages and perpetuates ongoing learning and growth of students and teachers alike. I believe I embody the characteristics needed to create such a climate where students, teachers, support staff, parents, and administration can work together to ensure that all

I constantly refine my teaching practices to meet the needs of all my students. I continually reflect and develop lessons to support the needs of my students. I show this passion during my lessons and, in doing so, my students are excited and engaged. I share this passion with my colleagues by running trainings and workshops after school, specifically in mathematics and technology. Staff also seeks me out for help in these areas and others. I sincerely love what I do and always want to learn new approaches, techniques, or ideas to share with students and staff. Along with my passion for learning, I have a responsibility to be honest, reliable, and trustworthy—to demonstrate integrity. My job as a teacher is to help my students develop skills necessary to become responsible, respectful, and hard-working people inside the classroom and beyond. That integrity extends beyond the classroom to my colleagues and community. I pride myself on the fact that those I work with trust me because of my passion for learning and have faith in my discretion and sincerity, traits essential in leadership. Furthermore, as a daughter who grew up with parents that were high school principals, I already know the time, passion, skill, and dedication it takes to provide a school community with the support they deserve. I have already started thinking like a school leader and with

In the past four years I have been able to develop trusting and collaborative relationships with colleagues, staff, students, and parents. Valuing the ideas of others is important for all concerned, and especially for an optimum outcome. In becoming a BTSA Mentor this year, I have sharpened my skills in working with others and facilitating difficult conversations in a positive, helpful manner. Exhibiting sincere interest in people empowers a leader with knowledge, perspective, and insights they may not have considered, but find helpful. In addition, others are likely to increase their openness to anything you have to say or hope to accomplish when they sense your genuine interest in their point of view. When you are able to pull all these qualities together and look through a wider lens, step outside your own parochial perspective, exciting things can happen for all students. In addition, I communicate effectively and am comfortable speaking one-on-one or to a large group. These relational skills put me on the right path for an administrative leadership