2002 Connecticut Teacher of the Year
Ms. Galbraith is a Language Arts and Reading teacher who brings twenty-five years of teaching experience to the grade 8 students of West Side Middle School.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"I believe that every time I accept a student into my classroom, I agree to an unwritten contract with that child. The contract is meant to hold whether the student's parent is involved in education or not, whether the past learning experiences have been positive or not. What does matter is the support a child needs in order to learn."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"My ideas about teaching are demonstrated in my teaching style because I will do whatever it takes to support student learning. I'll work on solving one learning problem at a time. I'll try multiple approaches and teach to multiple learning styles. I will sit side by side with a student after school, eating snacks, working to master a task or complete an assignment. If it will help a student to stay, I will invite younger siblings who need to be watched after school. I won't sit back and let a student fail.

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest accomplishment is Areté, an academic support group for African-American males. This support group began three years ago when I invited young African-American males, former students, to join a group of peers who would support each other in their academic efforts. I would provide academic help, where necessary, if they would provide the will and the effort. Two or three nights a week after school or athletic practice, these young men meet in my West Side classroom for two hours of study. With the help of friends and Grants, I've been able to provide food, clothing, academic resources, and even the financial aid to join a locally sponsored tour of historically black colleges and universities. We learn together and we celebrate their successes."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"Education for minority students is a critical issue facing educators today. Minority students in urban schools often do not have access to the same resources, class sizes and teachers as students in non-urban schools. They are more likely to suffer from low expectations and the effects of racism and bias. The resolution lies in acknowledging and identifying the bias we carry within us. This can be done through programs that promote dialogue on race. Training to promote diversity, recognize racism and eradicate bias is as important to teacher training as are learning theory and content pedagogy."

Inspirational thought:
"I would exhort teachers as well as the public to have the courage, the commitment and the compassion to do what's right for children."