Professional Statement

I believe a teacher is a facilitator of student learning, not simply a giver of knowledge. A

teacher gives students the skills and tools they need to learn independently. Teachers must

understand that students are not boxes to be filled, but people to be equipped. As well as

knowledge of basic content areas—teachers must also must have an understanding of how

people build knowledge and an ability to coordinate the two. They need to know that people

learn in community—through guided inquiry, problem-solving, exploration, and application to

the world around us. Whether an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner, I believe in teaching so

all students are able to interact with instructional materials in a meaningful way (Gardener,

1983).

I believe a teacher is a connector with the opportunity to build bridges between home and

school. I think it is critical to understand that each student is completely different and comes

from a family that is completely different into a school that is completely different. A teacher

accepts the challenge to embrace all these differences and connects them through communication

with families, newsletters, classroom visits and tutoring, family nights, and activities that

combine curriculum with personal life. Every student enters a classroom with a history, with

ideas, experiences, understandings, and dreams. They bring who they are to each lesson and the

teacher and other students learn though this.

I believe a teacher is a champion, giving more than encouragement and developing

students who will take ownership of their learning (Pierson, 2013). A teacher must recognize that

all students can learn and all deserve the support and assistance needed to succeed in school.
There are far too many schools where the educational needs of all students are not being met,

where poverty, race, gender, and other factors limit resources and opportunities from our nation’s

students. Many students are trying to learn in a system that was not built to support them.

Speaking about racism (but applicable in many areas), Tatum (2017) explains that it is our

responsibility to interrupt the cycle (p. 87). To ensure every student is given what they need,

teachers can become advocates seeking to give voice to all students. It may be fighting for school

books or it may be teaching others about equity in education—but if we believe every student

can learn, they deserve the chance and assistance to achieve.

I believe a teacher is a leader—in and outside the classroom. A teacher should lead

through professional appearance, words, and actions. A teacher can strive to practice skills and

habits that best benefit the school community and their fellow staff. To lead in a school setting

requires integrity, reliability, flexibility, preparedness, reflection, and intentionality. Everything a

teacher does matters, so there should be a valid reason for each decision made, book read, and

question asked. A teacher never stops learning and is willing to be teachable and continually

improve their own practice.

I believe a teacher is a community builder within the walls of their classroom. Students

cannot learn in an environment where they do not feel welcomed or heard, cannot be themselves,

are not able to share their lives or contribute their knowledge and talents. A classroom is a

microcosm of society. When students enter the classroom, they do not know each other or the

teacher; there is an opportunity for comparisons and bullying to take place, but there is also an

opportunity for strong relationships and trust (Armstrong, 2018). A community is built through

shared experiences, where students work together, find their commonalities and differences, and

support each other through challenges as they learn.

 References

Armstrong, A. (2018). Building a Supportive Classroom Community in Early Childhood.

Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/building-supportive-classroom-

community-early-childhood.

Gardner, H. E. (1993). Multiple Intelligences. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Pierson, R. (2013, May). Every Kid Needs a Champion [TED talks Education]. Retrieved from

https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion?language=en.

Tatum, B. D. (2017). Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? New York,

NY: Basic Books.