Wendy Nelson Kauffman
2003 Connecticut Teacher of the Year
Ms. Kauffman has been teaching Social Studies for ten years. She currently teaches grade nine through twelve at Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
“My philosophy of teaching is revealed in how I view my students, my role as teacher and my approach to teaching. Regarding my students, I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of each youngster and have faith that every student can learn. My role in the classroom is to be the coach who sets high standards and then encourages and guides students to learn to their maximum potential. My teaching approach centers on the passion that I have both for my subjects and for teaching students, so that they too can be excited about being life-long learners. But my enthusiasm is not always enough to generate interest. My teaching approach also has to make my subject come alive and relevant for my students.”

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
“The first week of history class I ask students to write a short autobiography. I want students to recognize that just as their own personal histories are important to understanding themselves, the history of Americans is just as relevant to understanding who we are as a society today. These autobiographies not only make history more relevant to students but also allow me to learn about each of them. With this insight, I can better tailor our study to their interests.”

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
“My most important teaching accomplishment is when I make connections with students so that they see the importance of learning. I’ve accomplished something significant when parents tell me that their children, who never like school or history, come home excited and eager to work on one of my projects or share that day’s activities. I’ve accomplished something remarkable when I have a student write me a thank-you note for ‘getting on my case’ because I believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself.”

What's the most critical issue facing educators today?
“Schools across America struggle with financial constraints, overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of dedicated and qualified teachers, while social problems from violence, drugs and broken families spill over into our buildings. The educational issue that most concerns me is the disparity between the ‘black’ and ‘white’ schools. My students describe what they believe are values and ideas that distinguish us as Americans. They always stress that we are a land of opportunity. But are we? I can answer that I believe we have made progress. What I cannot answer is whether we will ever end the glaring disparities in education.”

What do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
“One solution to the glaring disparities in education is to create magnet schools. Why not invest money in building a state-of-the-art school that everyone will attend, including highly qualified teachers. Instead of forced desegregation, we would have voluntary integration and a top-notch school in the process. We also need a renewed commitment from our government leaders to examine and support programs that are successful. Realistically, some factors are beyond a school’s control. Socioeconomic differences among students will always exist and have some impact on student outcomes. Pervasive societal problems will continue to intrude in the classroom and to frustrate teachers’ best efforts. But we are socially obligated to address the racial disparities that exist in education. Providing a more equitable education must begin with a commitment to racial diversity in our schools and an investment in research programs that close the gap.”

One thought to inspire teachers to excel
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglas (1817-1895), American Writer and Abolitionist.

One lesson every student should learn
“The story of America is the struggle to reach the ideals on which our country was founded.”

Favorite Website:
“American Memory – Historical Collections for the National Digital Library”