Overall, my journey as a learner has brought me to a professional investmentan

investment in myself as an educator, in my students, and in my community. As a

self-motivated, life-long learner, I have never had a better opportunity to impact the
lives of others than I have through teaching. Observing a flicker of excitement in the
eyes of students, demonstrating they have made a connection to learning, can be
one of the most rewarding experiences in the world.
Providing students with the resources necessary to recognize such connections is an
essential part of the learning process. With proper modeling students can interpret
tools and strategies that correlate with their unique styles of learning. As an
educator, it is my responsibility to demonstrate emotional and behavioral strategies
to become productive members in all communities of life. By utilizing innovate
lesson plans, I create an environment consisting of engaged and interactive
learning. In demonstrating my own enthusiasm and passion for learning, students
enter a positive learning environment where they are free to communicate and
express themselves through various means. My classroom community incorporates
unique, individual ideas and collaborative efforts in order to create a community of
learners matriculating in a safe and supportive environment.
In my classroom, students learn to foster self-motivated discoverydiscovery by
any means, whether its through research or personal exploration. Utilizing
extensive inquiry, and asking questions requiring thoughtful analysis, I am able to
direct that discovery. Stimulating the thought process rather than providing short,
explicit answers encourages students to invest in deeper thinking. In offering
thorough feedback, my students are able to adjust and enhance their own
strategies when approaching difficult topics. The more opportunities and frequency
in which students are able to discover knowledge for themselves, the more likely
students are to develop life-long learning habits that are vital to their success in
later endeavors. Because every child can be a successful learner, each student in
my classroom is provided an equal opportunity to contribute, participate, and
access all resources.
Multi-modal learning is also instrumental in a technological and digital-aged
classroom. The use of technology, art, music, graphic/visual organizers, films,
games, and texts is essential in preparing students to retain material effectively.
Using storyboards or comic strips, for example, to reflect comprehension of material
can be an effective tool in retelling a story. Responsible teaching requires that my
classroom include multi-modal learning in adaptable environments. Using innovative
tools to incorporate various modes of instruction, I create unique learning
opportunities for the language arts environment. It is through engaging, interactive
lessons that I am most able to demonstrate my enthusiasm for continuous learning
while also providing me with the opportunity to learn alongside my students.
Making the decision to become an educator was simple. Encountering teachers who
inspired me to indulge in my passion for learning sparked a love and respect for
education. When I became a mother, watching my children develop inquisitive
minds inspired me yet again. Returning to school in pursuit of a teaching degree
was the inevitable course my life was destined to take. It was through watching my
oldest daughter, now in second grade, thrive on self-discovery that I developed a
deep-rooted desire to provide such opportunities for growth in others. Giving each
student the same resources and tools to discover knowledge for themselves creates

a learning pattern essential to healthy academic and personal development. It is my

honor and privilege to share such a passion with the future members of society.