Dennis Earl Griner
Washington Teacher of the Year
Garfield-Palouse High School, Palouse, WA
Grades 9-12, U.S. History, Current World Issues, Audio-Visual Communications

My teaching philosophy
Teaching is a calling not just a job. Teaching entails mentoring students to realize their full potential. Instilling self-confidence and personal self-worth is as important, or arguably more important, than subject matter mastery.

My philosophy in action
I challenge my students to give their best effort, to stretch their comfort zones and to face challenges head-on. I provide them with real-world assignments within their community to tie their skills with community service.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment happens each spring when the senior class crosses the stage at graduation. I realize that I have had an impact on the lives of each student.

The most critical issue facing educators today
The most critical issue facing educators today is achieving credibility with the general public for the profession of teaching and public education as a whole.

Ways to resolve this issue
The issue is complex but not unsolvable. Accountability of teachers in the form of consistent and real standards, clarifying of nation-wide student achievement and then publicizing our accomplishments as loud and as often as possible would be a beginning to resolve the issue.

One thought to inspire other teachers to succeed
Teach each child in your classroom as if he/she was yours.

One lesson every student should learn
Every student should learn that their life matters and that they are important.

Back to the 2004 Teacher Profiles home page