
This I believe…
I believe in respecting my peers, students, and their parents. Learning from them and the experiences they bring to the classroom each day.
I believe in students first, curriculum second, remembering that I am shaping lives not policy.
I believe in standards for a roadmap but not for restriction. I will remember that there is no right way to approach education.
I believe in taking minutes, class periods, or a day to focus on teachable moments. I will work to change the way students think about learning.
I believe in asking the students what they need from a classroom teacher, their education during this time in their life is my greatest responsibility.
I believe in taking time for reflections and feedback, I will respect that they are ultimately in charge of their own learning, therefore I will take the time to give them that ownership.
I believe I can learn from those students who I didn’t reach enough. I will remember that I will not be everyone’s favorite teacher but I will do my best to have some positive influence on their life.
I believe in doing everything I can to help students find the intrinsic motivation to be lifelong learners, recognizing that this may come easily for some and not for others.
I believe in finding a strategy to help those students who don’t know how to help themselves. I will push myself to not settle for anything else than my best, knowing I expect all students to do the same.
I believe in knowing that when the passion for teaching has left, I will recognize this and leave the profession. For this is one of the greatest responsibilities and honors I will have in my lifetime.

