Billie Travis
Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Georgetown Middle School, Georgetown, KY
Grade 7, Mathematics

My teaching philosophy
All children can learn, yet, because students learn in a variety of ways, teachers must teach by using an assortment of techniques and methodologies. My philosophy is to find out how I can stimulate my students through exciting, challenging and motivating methods. I believe all students should be given an opportunity to be successful academically by simply showing them two important concepts: The importance of the subject matter and how they can use these skills in their world.

My philosophy in action
My teaching style reflects this philosophy as I strive to demonstrate these attitudes with each student. All lessons are based on, "when are we ever going to use this". We take all concepts and look for a way that students can apply it into their lives directly. Students are constantly coming back to me asking for assistance or telling me that they have used a math skill the way that I had taught them in seventh grade math class.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment is to have students say I want to teach or to be a teacher like you. I now work with several former students who decided to get into the profession because of me. I show a respect for my profession and students appreciate that in me. I love to teach and my students know that I love to teach them.

The most critical issues facing educators today
One of the issues that challenge schools today is standardized testing. The question is not whether to test but how to assess so that teachers can get the best each student has to offer. Most states have assessments, but most assessment techniques compare schools to each other. What we need to do is to instill in our students the need to do well for their own enhancement. There is no accountability for the parents or the child. We need an increase in student accountability.

Ways to resolve this issue
President George Bush states, "Raise Standards, Raise Hopes". Accountability then is an exercise in hope. Accountability can be raised in many ways. First, we must raise academic standards. When we raise academic standards, the academic achievement scores will rise in unison. Second, when children are regularly assessed teachers will better know where and how to address deficiencies. Third, when parents know test scores, parents are empowered to push for change. Accountability then becomes a real paradigm, and when accountability for our schools is real, the results for our children will be real as well. I am working on an assessment program that is increasing student involvement. ASK (Assessing Student Knowledge) involves students because they are charting their progress weekly and recording the skills in which they need to work. The immediate feedback is the key and when we can do that on state testing we will increase accountability for the students, teachers and parents.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
It is simple. Success comes from within. Success is not measured so much by ability but availability. Rewards come daily. Most of your accomplishments come in mini-bursts. Look for the gleam in the student’s eye, the thank-you and the "I get it now" from your students. That is what teaching is all about. We are a helping profession and we assist others and when they have been helped they will reward you earnestly and daily.

One lesson every student should learn
All students must learn to read and write and do arithmetic. That has not changed. We can add to that to compute. But the most important lesson is responsibility and accountability. They go hand-in-hand. They must learn that you and only you are responsible for you actions and words.

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