Elizabeth F. Day
New York Teacher of the Year
Mechanicville Middle School, Mechanicville, NY
Grade 6, Language Arts, Reading, Science, Math

My teaching philosophy
I strongly believe that we must never accept less than our absolute best. We must set goals, work hard to achieve them, and revel in our accomplishments.

My philosophy in action
Each day, with each individual student I come in contact with, I accept nothing less than my absolute best. I am prepared to teach, ready to problem solve, and happy to be doing what I am doing. I am creative, I persevere, I listen to what my students are saying to me, and I am proud to be a teacher.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
Twenty seven years ago when I began teaching, I promised myself that I would view each teaching day with eagerness and enthusiasm, as a privilege and an opportunity to connect with a young heart, mind, or soul in or out of my classroom. I promised myself that I would do my absolute best every day for every child. It is with great satisfaction that I have kept those promises throughout my twenty seven years of teaching.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Students not feeling connected to any particular person, ideal, or goal. Many students today lack a sense of "connectedness."

Ways to resolve this issue
Mentoring within our schools and our communities would help students without a sense of "connectedness" feel a bond and a sense of importance to their school and to the community in which they live.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Never accept less than your absolute best!

One lesson every student should learn
If we have accepted less than our absolute best in any situation, there is always tomorrow to reassess, rethink, and try again.

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