I believe the purpose of education is to provide an education to students that will support them in becoming successful, independent individuals.  My definition of a successful individual is a person who thinks critically to solve problems and continually seeks more answers.  I believe the first step to helping students becoming independent is the socialization of a child.  A child should find their character, explore their questions, and form their own beliefs.  A child in school is learning how to work with others in solving problems, developing relationships outside of the family, and learning how to function in a society.

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I view learners as individuals with experience, character, and unique qualities.  When engaging a group of diverse individuals, a teacher must implement into the classroom the five dimensions of wellness, social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual.  Allowing students to be creative and have a choice in their education will support their independence and their success within a classroom. 

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Curriculum should be a learning guide and be presented as questions, where students can work individually or collectively to solve problems.  A teacher should be a learning leader and feel confident in not knowing the answers to all the students’ questions, but having the ability to lead students in finding answers.

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 I believe in building a safe, nurturing, and loving environment that motivates students and encourages them to take risks.  In addition to building a positive environment, it is necessary to build relationships with all persons based on love, value, and respect.  Being a teacher is one of the most powerful jobs, and our future lies in the small hands of the students.  We, as teachers, can create a better tomorrow by teaching kindness, the never-ending boundaries of ideas, and helping children know that they can, today, make a difference.