In simple words – my learning philosophy is:

I believe in you! What do you need to learn and how can I help you succeed?

I have a wide variety of “tools in my backpack” that can be our resource, so the world becomes our oyster! I am grateful when I can help others overcome their obstacles and gain more confidence, achievement, and success.

It is my belief that we all have strengths, gifts, and abilities, that we each learn differently, and that we all struggle in various areas. My classes have always been about the journey – encouraging curiosity in my students, establishing their own questions, searching for their own answers, and acquiring a deeper understanding from and of each other. And ultimately of themselves. I partner with each student and help wherever I can, supporting them as they need to continue their growth and development. The whole person is important, and growth and development are the focus. One step at a time. Part of my job is to determine where they have been, where they want to go, and the best way to get there. Then, it becomes a journey to walk beside and encourage them as we progress.

I am a fan of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences as a tool for learning styles and used differentiated learning in my classroom long before it became a thing.  In this way, I can always see the potential in everyone. When it comes to life, I am a “both/and” person and not “either/or” – a student’s learning needs to focus on both individual development and growth while also finding ways to mature as part of a group, listening and learning from others. It’s about both: now – what do we need to do to achieve success in the immediate moment, and future – how will this impact and help me with what is to come down the road, what skills do I need to develop and work on now for future impact and strength.

Today, the classrooms are full of struggling students – those who have been left behind and confused as a result of life, and the stress and anxiety that are pieces of their world. I know that teachers have their hands full and wrestle with their own circumstances, the responsibilities given to them, classroom situations, and their own challenges. But, I also know that with focused, individualized help, with someone who believes in the youth and will support them, many of these gaps in student learning can be eliminated. I know that with support and encouragement, a lot of this frustration can be removed, and replaced with confidence and empowerment. For both student and teacher.