Teachers

     One of the tasks left for part of my teacher portfolio has been to write a teaching philosophy.  As I have thought about this for almost a month the only thing that kept coming to mind was all the different teachers that have been in my life. 
    I can remember my primary chorister, Sister Balls in Kent long ago.  I remember learning the song "Children All Over The World".  If you are not LDS, it's a cute little song that reminds us that we all pray to our Heavenly Father in our own language and way.  You can listen to it here:  http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/children-all-over-the-world?lang=eng
     Why do I remember it, because she brought cool chimes to play during the song.  I loved the sound of them.  I enjoyed learning the different ways that children said thank you around the world.  She tried to give everyone a turn.  Because we sang, moved, and chimed I can always remember the words to the song.  I hope to use this example of interaction in my classroom someday.
     I remember my piano teacher, Sister Cervantes.  My mom was a piano teacher but I had a hard time doing what she wanted me to do so she sent me to Mae.  She was a lovely, older lady who always made me feel at ease.  She knew just how much to challenge me and apply the right amount of reward so I didn't get to cocky.  My biggest regret has been that I didn't go to lessons longer.  I can play, but I am not as accomplished as I wish I was.  I hope that I can teach my students to learn to follow through and become lifelong learners.  In my classroom, I want to challenge them so that they can become great.
     The one teacher who had the most effect on my life was Mr. King at Covington Elementary.  I was very lucky to have him for 5th and 6th grade.  He impacted my life in so many ways with one very simple behavior.  That behavior was to treat us as equals.  He would lay out the rules, consequences, and would tell us that we were responsible for ourselves.  He made me feel grown up and not just a student.  I felt like a partner in my learning.  Another great thing about him was he had a sense of humor.  I remember him making a bet with Erica that she couldn't go the whole day without talking.  The cost of her failure was his favorite candy bar, a Snickers.  Snickers was a good bargaining chip for other things too.  He always made me feel important.  He taught me that it was okay that I was younger than the other kids, gave me confidence to try out for the school play, and that I was perfect just the way I was and I didn't need to prove that to anyone.  I hope that in my classroom someday I can give my students a lift in their self esteem, help relieve the burdens they may carry and encourage them to be the best person that they are; not what anyone else pigeonholes them into being.  I also think I will frame a Snickers bar wrapper and hang it up in my classroom to remind me teachers do touch lives, even if it's just one.
     I have been blessed by many people who have held the title of teacher in my life.  Brother Kelly who taught us the words to "I heard the bells on Christmas day" and enlightened me to the gospel as my primary teacher and as my Sunday school teacher.  Sister Knutzen (now Black) who gave me my first and only manicure as a young women at an overnight at her house.  Ms. Olsen at Sequoia Junior High, that brought the world of Greek mythology to light and made me see that I was really a queen.
     I am sure as you think through you life there are many people who have touched and inspired you with their teaching.  I hope that you will take a second and thank God for such wonderful people that have been a part of your journey.