The teacher is passionate about developing positive relationships with students to promote success in the classroom. They create an engaging learning environment that considers students' interests and strengths, while also improving weaknesses. The teacher focuses on six best practices: a safe, inclusive environment; an accepting community that encourages collaboration; fair classroom management; rigorous, interest-based curriculum; daily communication with families; and modeling respect to build trust and provide high expectations.

1. My Teaching Philosophy
Firstand foremost, I am passionateaboutmy students. They are the
number one reason I love coming to schooleach and every day. I make it my
priority to develop positiveand trusting relationships with all of them. Research
suggests that among school-related factors (location, resources, testing,
programs, education levels and administration) the relationship between the
teacher and her students is the most significantwhen it comes to success and
achievement in the classroom. On a daily basis, I provideengaging activities,
projects and literacy based on my students’ interests to build on their strengths
while consistently improving any areas of weakness. To be an effective teacher
who creates success for her students, I focus on these six areas as best practice:
Environment
 Safe
 Inclusive
 Areas of interest
 Cooperative
 Shared responsibility
Community
 Acceptance
 Respect diversity
 Encouragement
 Problem-solving
 Collaboration
ClassroomManagement
 Fair
 Consistent
 Positive choices
 Natural consequences
 “Fill My Cup” Program

2. Curriculum
 Rigorous
 Interest-based
 Differentiated
 Engaging
 STEAM
Home/School Connections
 Daily communication
 Weekly newsletters
 Monthly calendars
 Classroomblogs
 Conferences
Teacher Role & Responsibility
 Model respect
 Show empathy
 Build trust
 Focus on studentstrengths
 Providehigh expectations
“I am still learning.”
Michelangelo

3. Just a “small” glimpse into my classroom

4. Painting “The Starry Night” by artist Vincent van Gogh
Hammering nails into blocks of wood
Sorting/Stacking blocks for number recognition
Making groups of 10 using colorful chips
Dressing up on the 100th
day of school (Carl from “UP”)
Watching “The 3 Billy Goats Gruff” at the Carnegie Library
Holding hands with a friend during circle time stories
Deciding how you feel and creating playdoh faces
Designing a habitat & creature after listening to “Pezzettino” by Leo Lionni
Making snow angels on the playground
Forming bridges from snow
Designing a soccer arena for Messi and keeping score with chalk blocks
Painting pictures of Monet’s Chrysanthemums
Building the University of Pittsburgh with small blocks
Creating open-ended art with foam paint
Cutting and painting flowers out of paper cupcake liners