​The value of school goes far beyond filling students’ heads with information, facts, and rules.  The importance of what happens inside of school buildings and classrooms is multilayered.

 As an educator, it is first and foremost important for me recognize the school building as a community center. The physical school building provides a safe, nurturing environment for all students.  This is especially true for students who may lack safety and stability when off of school grounds.  I believe it is possible to hold students to high academic, behavioral, and social expectations while always communicating respect, acceptance, and support.  Students are individual human beings with unique needs, strengths, and weaknesses.  An educator must meet their students' needs, celebrate and stretch their strengths, and support and remediate weaknesses.

As an educator, I am also responsible for preparing students to become productive, civic-minded, ethical citizens in a diverse society.  As an educator who focuses on literacy skills, I realize the importance of my role in this endeavor.  Becoming a literate adult who is prepared to function and participate in society as a contributing citizen is a gift.  This gift comes from impactful and purposeful teachings, lessons, and literature I share with my students.  I need to create skillful readers who have the capacity and ability to read on grade level.  I need to create discerning thinkers who reflect on, learn from, and who are inspired by literature.  I need to create opportunities to expose students to diverse beliefs, thoughts, and experiences through literature, so they enter society with an appreciation for diversity.

​I am grateful for the opportunity to work with students each day alongside likeminded colleagues to bring this vision to life.