Christina Daniels
Mississippi Teacher of the Year
Picayune Center for Alternative Education, Picayune, MS
Grades 1-6, Behavior Modification/Special Education

My teaching philosophy
I believe that effective teaching must be not only meet academic benchmarks -- it must also stir and inspire the imagination of the learner. I believe that a good teaching philosophy contains three essential components: an appreciation of the individual, a belief in unselfish giving, and the fostering of the learner's imagination and creativity.

My philosophy in action
I incorporate my beliefs in education by integrating the arts into all facets of teaching. By using visual arts, dramatic arts, musical arts, and dance to teach traditional academic subjects such as reading, math, social studies and science; students who have been unsuccessful during past learning experiences, can excel because their unique learning styles are being addressed.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment was seeing a child who had been unsuccessful in a traditional classroom setting excel under my supervision. This child walked six miles to school on a day he missed his bus because, as he said, he "couldn't miss a single day of my class." The usual self-doubts that plague even great teachers just evaporated and I felt that I had really made a difference in the life of that student.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Lack of parental involvement and accountability and a decline in overall student discipline.

Ways to resolve this issue
Required parent/teacher conferences, parents required to spend "seat time" in the classroom when students are disruptive, standardized disciplinary procedures and laws to protect the rights of teachers to teach in a productive, non-disruptive learning environment.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
The greatest rewards reaped by teachers are the ones you cannot put in your bank. Find the gifts of success in every possible situation and allow them to inspire you to even greater things.

One lesson every student should learn
First, be a good citizen. (By embracing the principles of good citizenship, students maximize their chances for success in the classroom.)

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