Vision Statement
My vision and mission is to create a learning community that raises the bar for literacy: reading for meaning, writing to be heard, and communicating with clarity.
But how? After a decade in the classroom, I have found that students LEARN when these things happen:
But how? After a decade in the classroom, I have found that students LEARN when these things happen:
Liberate students students so they fall in love with language, with its powers of story and style that move them to see themselves, others, and the world in new ways. Students' hearts must be engaged! This is always the first step to true learning, and the final proof that something significant is happening. In student language, class was "fun".
Empower life-long learners who think independently, work collaboratively, as well as know how to acquire and construct knowledge for themselves. In high school, every student should become, to some to degree, their own best teacher. Discovery always trumps dictation. Yes, there is a time for direct instruction, but the true learning happens independently.
Apply literacy to a variety of contexts, with an emphasis on writing. Yes, students must write and read, speak, listen, and utilize technology in ways that demonstrate a mastery of the English language. All these things will happen, sometimes simultaneously, for the best learning to occur. But the ability to write well is the pathway to significant understandings of readings, powerful discourses when speaking, and the best utilizations of technology. Best of all, writing forces us to think and express meaning in logical ways. In our class, we do a lot of writing.
Reach the diverse needs of all students, through differentiated, individualized instruction, so that they recognize their own unique purposes for thinking and communicating. Every student will learn at their own pace and in their own unique way. Some are auditory learners, some are highly visual, and some are kinesthetic. Some students need to be challenged, and some need time to fully understand the basic content of the class. In our classes, students are met where they are at using a variety of strategies like flexible grouping, learning partners, tiering assignments, leveling of assignments, and project-based learning.
Necessitate higher domains of critical thought, expression, and analysis, all while exposing students to quality, rigorous instruction and texts, so they can meet the increasing demands college and career. Students deserve the best quality education that can be afforded in a public classroom. One of the best ways to do this is to expose students to classical texts and exemplars. Students are forced to think through the deeper themes and purposes of these texts.
Empower life-long learners who think independently, work collaboratively, as well as know how to acquire and construct knowledge for themselves. In high school, every student should become, to some to degree, their own best teacher. Discovery always trumps dictation. Yes, there is a time for direct instruction, but the true learning happens independently.
Apply literacy to a variety of contexts, with an emphasis on writing. Yes, students must write and read, speak, listen, and utilize technology in ways that demonstrate a mastery of the English language. All these things will happen, sometimes simultaneously, for the best learning to occur. But the ability to write well is the pathway to significant understandings of readings, powerful discourses when speaking, and the best utilizations of technology. Best of all, writing forces us to think and express meaning in logical ways. In our class, we do a lot of writing.
Reach the diverse needs of all students, through differentiated, individualized instruction, so that they recognize their own unique purposes for thinking and communicating. Every student will learn at their own pace and in their own unique way. Some are auditory learners, some are highly visual, and some are kinesthetic. Some students need to be challenged, and some need time to fully understand the basic content of the class. In our classes, students are met where they are at using a variety of strategies like flexible grouping, learning partners, tiering assignments, leveling of assignments, and project-based learning.
Necessitate higher domains of critical thought, expression, and analysis, all while exposing students to quality, rigorous instruction and texts, so they can meet the increasing demands college and career. Students deserve the best quality education that can be afforded in a public classroom. One of the best ways to do this is to expose students to classical texts and exemplars. Students are forced to think through the deeper themes and purposes of these texts.
