Philosophy of Education
Everyone wants to leave their mark on the world. I think that being an educator is one of the most profound ways to do so. It is within the confines of your classroom that magic happens. Minds turn on and go to work. They imagine, understand, and create ideas and opinions that will shape their future. With this in mind, I forge ahead to leave an indelible mark on the school, community, and students that I serve.
It is one of the most amazing things to be able to impress upon students ideals of education and to be able to help them prepare for their futures. In teaching, I have discovered things about myself and the way that I learn best. For example, I always thought that I lacked patience but in dealing with students, I have found that I have a lot more patience than I initially imagined. These revelations have impacted the manner in which I plan and deliver instructional materials. Not all students learn the same way, so in order to achieve maximum impact, it is imperative that I differentiate instruction.
My interest in education was sparked as a graduate student in Fayetteville, AR. I was selected to be a GK-12 Fellow through a grant from the National Science Foundation. As a fellow, I was paired with a teacher from Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale, Arkansas. She was already excellent science teacher. Her students loved her and loved science. Our collaboration became a meeting of the minds. Entering into this realm of excellence showed me the rewards and impact of teaching. I provided a deeper insight into laboratory experiments, student engagement, and inquiry. She gave me the knowledge and experience of teaching impressionable and eager seventh grade minds. Teaching was joyful. We organized science nights for parents, science days at the mall, and other engaging activities for both students and parents. This was the beginning of a profound appreciation for the profession. Little did I know that this would be the impetus for choosing education as my career path.
My daily reward is knowing that I have touched an impressionable mind and passed on my love and excitement for science. In the beginning of my teaching career, most of my teaching was “textbook” science. Now, as the world and its problems evolve, my instruction is reflective of these changes and involves more real-world applications and scientific dilemmas that await one of my students to solve.
Xavier University of Louisiana
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University of Arkansas
May 2002 - May 2005
Master of Science, Microelectronics-Photonics
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