Meet+Your+Teachers

 I was born the first of six siblings and many cousins and lived in Burlington, Indiana. It

seems I was always reading someone a story or teaching a younger family member a new skill.

My grandmother often called me “her little teacher.” As I got older, I became a junior leader

in my 4-H club and helped teach the smaller children in Sunday school. I don’t ever remember

thinking about becoming a teacher, teaching was just something I did.  I believe that each child is an individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating

atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. I

believe that each child has the potential to grow in each of these areas. It is my responsibility

as an educator to provide an environment for my students so growth takes place. Students must

feel safe while investigating and sharing their own ideas. It is vital that risk taking is supported

and that differences are embraced as part of what makes us unique individuals. My philosophy

of teaching has evolved over many years of teaching experience. As I reflect on my beliefs

regarding teaching and learning, I find that I no longer need to be in control of the learning but

can act as a guide allowing the child's natural curiosity to guide his/her learning. To accomplish

this, I apply a wide variety of strategies based on essential educational principles encompassing

cognitive functioning, learning theory, diversity issues, technology, instructional planning and

data driven assessments. Most importantly, I believe in the 19th century philosophy statement of

Sir John Lubbock; If you teach a child to love learning, the learning will come.. I am blessed

to get up each morning knowing that I will be doing exactly what I love to do, TEACH.