Kathleen Thomas
Delaware Teacher of the Year
Caesar Rodney High School, Camden, DE
Grades 10-12, Marketing and Business

My teaching philosophy
I believe that if you treat each child as an individual and teach the whole person, you will be more successful as a teacher. Using a variety of teaching methods and assessment methods helps to address different types of learners.

My philosophy in action
I use a variety of teaching techniques and assessment strategies so that my students act as the learners and I am the classroom facilitator in the process. My students learn by doing, not just sitting and listening.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
Receiving national board certification in career and technical education, passing the program the first year it was offered and with a high score.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Closing the achievement gap, the academic gap that exists between certain groups of students upon entering school. We need to get kids reading at an earlier age.

Ways to resolve this issue
All day kindergarten, more pre-K programs, nutrition and parenting programs, reading specialists particularly at the elementary level.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
A teacher's reach is far, well into the future. You have no idea how many lives you have touched until much later in your career as a teacher.

One lesson every student should learn
That character education goes right along with career education. Demonstrate work ethic and old-fashioned values and the sky is the limit in terms of future income potential.

Back to the 2005 Teacher Profiles home page