Colonel Robert A. Guy
Georgia Teacher of the Year
Oconee County Middle School, Watkinsville, GA
Grade 8, Science and Reading

My teaching philosophy
“A good teacher is one who makes learning enjoyable, has a sense of humor, smiles a lot and whose classroom atmosphere is happy." These comments are a summary of the comments provided by 100 of my middle school students in an informal written survey where I asked them to describe their idea of a good teacher. The overwhelming majority (88 percent) described making learning enjoyable as the most desirable trait of a good teacher. They are right on target and they echo what I have always believed about teaching: that a good teacher makes learning enjoyable and memorable for his/her students. That takes a tremendous amount of work, preparation and commitment, but the results are undeniable and the rewards are overwhelming.

My philosophy in action
A week after I began teaching, my students told me that they didn't like science because it was dull and boring. At that point, I vowed never to conduct sessions that could be described that way. Variety and change became guiding principles for my classes, and I was determined to show students that science is life and that they have a significant stake in it. I strive to make each and every class enjoyable, meaningful and challenging for all of my students.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment has simply been the ability to teach for 12 years combined with the honor of doing what I can to make learning both enjoyable and meaningful for about 1400 students during that time.

The most critical issue facing educators today
I believe that we will be unable to furnish the tremendous number of high-quality teachers we will need in the near future unless we find more effective and empathic ways of moving qualified content specialists from other career fields into education. I feel that there are many professionals in science, technology, engineering and other vocational fields, who would love to become teachers, but most current certification processes required to change careers to education are too difficult and the demands placed on potential career changers unrealistic.

Ways to resolve this issue
We must improve the alternative certification process in this country. We must recognize that many alternatively certified people are content experts, but need help with classroom management and basic learning principles. Focusing on these areas will shorten the time required to become certified and motivate more qualified and driven individuals to become teachers.

One thought to inspire other teachers to succeed
Few professions in this world require the trust the teachers are given. We have been entrusted with the power and the authority to mold and shape our society’s most valuable asset – its children. We have been given that awesome responsibility because, united with parents, we are expected to help each and every child mature, blossom and become the very best that he or she can be. We have been handed the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our society in order to make the future promising and bright for the next generation. What a tremendous weight that has been placed on our shoulders, and what awesome responsibility it brings.

One lesson every student should learn
Your attitude determines your altitude. To me, there is nothing more important than a student's attitude in the classroom. Research has shown that student achievement in school is attributable to the following: 25 percent IQ, 25 percent opportunities and experiences, and 50 percent self-esteem – being positive, competent and confident!

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