Elizabeth Roehr
Idaho Teacher of the Year
Meridian Academy, Meridian, ID
Grades 9-12, English, Psychology, Science Circus, Humanities

My teaching philosophy
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” This applies not only to students, but to teachers as well. What lies behind us can dramatically affect where we currently find ourselves, and, certainly, what lies ahead of us is anything but a tiny matter. However, what lies within us determines what we believe, what we do and who we are. My job as a teacher is to awaken the possibilities within my students so that each one can build on their strengths and develop a hunger for learning. My job is also to build on my own strengths and continue searching for more effective ways to reach and teach each student.

My philosophy in action
I am open and direct with my students. I allow them to make mistakes and I readily apologize when I make mistakes. I accept them how they are and show them how to get to where they want to be academically, professionally and personally. We laugh a lot, cry occasionally and learn something new every day. We celebrate victories both great and small and commiserate with one another over grief and disappointments. I try to provide a safe, secure, sensitive environment where much is given but much is expected.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
I celebrate little victories each day: a student who has failed 9 out of 10 spelling tests who begins to pass more than fail; a young teen mom who completes the last correspondence course necessary for graduation; the reclusive and anti-social student who says "Good morning" voluntarily. These may not seem as important as creating interdisciplinary classes, chairing conferences, or writing curriculum (which I have done), but I teach people, not subjects. Of the things I have done, I am most proud of Science Circus, an integrated physics-and-English class where high school students travel to elementary schools to put on two-hour science-based presentations.

The most critical issue facing educators today
Attracting, training, and retaining qualified teachers.

Ways to resolve this issue

These are my suggestions:
	Revamping teacher training
	Getting college professors out of the ivory towers and into the trenches to see what the real needs are
	Allowing potential teachers more on-the-job experience with pay
	Treating first-year teachers with courtesy and respect is important. They should receive a mentor in their school, who teaches in their content area, for a minimum of one year. Mentors should be master teachers who choose to mentor, on their own will.
	Ongoing, quality staff development tailored to available facilities and the needs of individual teachers is critical. Education is not a one-size-fits-all process, and neither is teacher training.

One thought to inspire other teachers to succeed
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi

One lesson every student should learn
Please, thank you and excuse me are the most powerful words in any language.

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