I believe...

I believe that teaching is one of the most powerful and influential careers you can have. We have the power to shape a new generation through our pedagogical practices and if used responsibly, have the opportunity to change the world for the better.

This may sound cliche, but I want to instill the belief within my students that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves. But unless they are given the tools necessary to achieve their dreams, this is just an empty promise that most children will never fulfill. I want to teach my students how important it is to think for themselves, then I will teach them how to get there. I want them to understand what it means to be a public intellectual, even if they are only 6 years old I can still supply them with the self confidence to challenge why something is the way it is and not settle for answers that are given to them.

I believe that students deserve to understand what is expected of them and to trust that I won't give up on any of them at any time. They deserve to feel respected and understood and pushed to reach their potential. I believe that students deserve to discover, as Kip puts it, their own sense of self as a learner and what that means. I whole heartily believe that students deserve to have their ethnicities, cultures and individual selves validated, recognized and celebrated.

I believe that a classroom should be: a sanctuary, a stimulator, a place that inspires learning, comfortable, sometimes chaotic, sometimes quiet, full of love and respect, a place of conflict and resolution and a place of self-growth. I aspire to create such an environment and even though I know I can't be perfect and that I will make mistakes, as long as I am happy and satisfied and strong within my core beliefs (even though they may change) I know everything will be ok.