Dawn Imamoto
California Teacher of the Year
Bryte Elementary School, West Sacramento, CA
Grade 2, All subjects

My teaching philosophy
On the first day of one of my education classes my professor, Dr. Harvey, wrote this acronym on the board: A.I.T.K.O.T.I.W.W.M.C.T.H.? This acronym stood for Am I The Kind Of Teacher I Would Want My Child To Have? The moment I heard it, I took this philosophy to heart. I believe that if students are in a safe and positive learning environment, they will be encouraged to learn and grow.

My philosophy in action
Every day that I step into my classroom, I strive to be the kind of teacher I would want my child to have. I want to be a good role model for my students. I dress professionally, arrive on time to school, and I am prepared with my lessons every day. I work hard to create lessons that are fun and challenging. I work hard to create a positive environment that is safe and structured. My room is always filled with student work and environmental print on the walls that help students to learn. I try to keep up with current research and educational issues to broaden my knowledge as a teacher. I stress to my students' parents that the door of communication is always open.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment is a book my second graders published in response to September 11th called, Some People Are Brave. Writing this book helped my students deal with this tragic time. What my students could not express orally, they were able to do in writing and illustrating. This book brought my class closer together and gave them hope. My second graders now knew what I meant when I said writing touches the heart. Not only did Some People Are Brave touch the lives of over 500 readers, but it changed the lives of the 20 children who were in my class. I was sure that every child in my class knew that they were writers.

The most critical issue facing educators today
Teaching children how to write is a critical issue that is often overlooked. Teachers enter the profession without any practical knowledge about how to teach children to write. Teachers therefore lack the confidence and don't spend enough time teaching writing. Another reason that writing is not a priority is because of the pressure to raise test scores in reading and math. Teachers feel more obligated to improve students' Reading and aRithmetic skills. Writing becomes the forgotten third "R".

Ways to resolve this issue
The National Writing Project (NWP) has 175 writing sites all over the nation. The mission of the National Writing Project is to improve the teaching of writing and improve learning in our nation's schools from kindergarten through university classes. Every local writing project site has a variety of programs: inservice workshops, curriculum development, summer institutes, etc. Teachers should get involved in their local writing project so they can make writing come alive in their classroom.

One thought to inspire other teachers to succeed
As a teacher I have the power to impact lives of children in a positive way. Despite the hardships and challenging issues that many students face at home, I can still make a difference in their lives. I have the power to make a child believe in himself or herself. I have the power to influence a child to make good choices. I have the power to make a child realize that he or she can make a difference in our school and community. Teachers have the power to make a difference.

One lesson every student should learn
Hard work pays off. In my classroom, I have high expectations. As soon as students walk into my classroom they are expected to work hard and have a positive attitude toward learning. I expect my students to be responsible. They must bring their homework and backpack to school every day. I work hard to challenge students at their ability level. When they accomplish their goal, we celebrate their success. I praise them for their hard work, and then they realize that hard work does pay off. Students feel good about themselves and are more energized to learn.

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