Molly Seward
Indiana Teacher of the Year
Snacks Crossing, Indianapolis, IN
Second Grade, all subjects

My teaching philosophy
There is no nobler profession than teaching. There can be no other profession that is more rewarding. The art of teaching requires practice, time, dedication, and reflection. Teaching is my calling, my passion, my life. I teach because I cannot imagine doing anything else. I teach because each year is a gift as it brings new challenges and new students. There is pleasure and pressure in knowing that this is the only second grade year they will have, and I want to make it memorable and special for each child. I want to discover the gifts each child brings and help them discover how to use their gifts and talents.

Each day I am greeted by enthusiastic eight-year-olds ready to start the day with their boundless energy and eager minds. They walk into the classroom ready to learn and make new discoveries about themselves, others, and the world around them. There is nothing like the beginning of the day in an elementary school; the halls bustle with the noise of children happy to begin a new day. Hugs are plentiful and the children are engaged in conversations, each of which reveals their own unique world. Every morning I quietly greet each child and walk around to listen to their conversations, for I have learned that their conversations give me a good indication of what our day will be like and what needs and celebrations I need to address.

The rewards are truly never ending. I am able to observe as children discover new understandings and I watch a smile appear as a light goes on and new learning occurs. I am praised and hugged and appreciated each day by numerous children for what is often something very small. I am needed and when I am not there I am missed, I know this because I get notes on my desk that tell me I was missed. I have been invited to weddings by students I had twelve years prior; I have had a child name a dog after me and another name a sister; I have twelve former students who are now in the field of education and they credit me; and I have been honored on the playing field as a favorite teacher. This profession offers so many ongoing and fulfilling experiences.

Everyday in my classroom I have the awesome responsibly to work with young learners as they learn and discover new concepts and strategies. My teaching mission is to "empower children by helping them become self directed learners who are able to read, write, listen, speak, and think independently." I want my students to become keen observers and flexible thinkers who are able to question, predict, and learn about the world around them. This is a huge goal, and in order to accomplish this, there are many things that I need to put into place in my classroom. There are many deeply held beliefs I have about teaching and learning. I strive everyday to create a classroom which accurately reflects these beliefs.

I am a better teacher because of the people surrounding me. I have had amazing opportunities to work with incredible and dedicated professionals; what I believe about teaching and learning has been shaped by many people. I believe a good teacher is a facilitator who models and supports learners. A good teacher carefully observes students, assesses each child, and sets realistic, attainable goals and expectations. A good teacher assists students in creating a stimulating classroom environment. A good teacher surrounds their community of learners with a wealth of resources and authentic, meaningful experiences. A good teacher allows and encourages student choice, ownership, and freedom within a framework. A good teacher involves learners actively, extending opportunities and invitations which allow success for all. A good teacher develops reflective thinkers who are able to reflect upon their own learning and set new learning goals. A good teacher understands that learning is a process that does not happen all at once but instead is recursive in nature. This process takes time and often is socially rooted. Children who understand that the process is as important as the product are better equipped to be risk takers who enjoy trying, understand that failure is part of the process, and are persistent in finishing what they have begun. A good teacher keeps current, seeks collaboration, and engages in ongoing refection. A good teacher loves learning and communicates that love of learning to students. A good teacher listens, to students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and the community, because it is through listening that a deeper understanding can be accomplished. A good teacher loves children; from the teacher's actions and words students know they're deeply cared about and valued as a unique individual with important thoughts, ideas, and gifts. I believe good teaching is generative, recursive, and meaningful for all learners - young and old - teacher and student.

At Open House I read a story called The Star Polisher by Leah Becks. The story is about a teacher who tells that children are like stars, each one is different with a unique and important place in the world. The teacher's role is to polish each star, encouraging each one to be the brightest and shiniest they can be, and to recognize that the world would not be as bright without each one of them. This is my philosophy and I try to live out this philosophy, every day in my classroom.

My philosophy in action
See Above

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest accomplishments lie in the children that leave my classroom every year. It is my hope that each one leaves with a love of learning ready to set their own goals and achieve their dreams.

The most critical issues facing educators today
With the complex problems confronting our nation today, schools cannot afford to function independently, acting in isolation from the community in which they serve. It can be argued that now more than ever before, it is essential for schools to form ties with the community. It is important to keep the "public" in public schools and involve the rest of society with our schools. I believe that parent involvement is first and foremost, the most important link to community involvement. Parental involvement in education has found increased support due in part to the Goals 2000: Educate America Act which stated that: "By the year 2000, every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth for all children." Additionally, under the Improving America's Schools Act, Title I requires that schools involve parents in improving student performance, collaborating with improvement projects and developing school policies. This increased interest in parental involvement recognizes the important role parents play in their child's educational attitudes and outcomes.

Parents have a huge influence on their children's success in school and academic performance. Parental involvement has been shown to increase student's academic achievement, improve behavior, reduce absenteeism, and foster a positive attitude toward homework. Students are not the only ones who benefit from increased parental participation. Most teachers find that after increased parental involvement in the classroom, the parents have a new respect for the role the teacher plays and the impact they have on their children. Parents also become more interested in education, and some parents may even seek out more learning opportunities for themselves.

Some obstacles can stand in the way of school-family partnerships. For example, some parents may be intimidated by teachers and view them as "experts" who have no need for parental input. Other parents lack confidence when helping their children academically. In addition, parents whose own school experience was unpleasant or negative may still view school in a negative light. Parents may feel uneasy about the extent of their involvement in schools. However, parents need to feel empowered that their opinions and concerns are valued. They are in fact, their child's first teacher.

School personnel also have misconceptions. Teachers may feel their "turf" is being invaded and fear that parents are tying to undermine their authority. Schools may communicate to parents that "the teacher knows best," discouraging parents from raising questions or concerns about the education their children are receiving.

As the benefits of parent involvement become more evident, educators are increasingly committed to overcoming barriers and areas of misunderstanding that can arise among both parents and school personnel. On a practical level, there are steps schools can take to facilitate parental involvement. Partnerships should become a priority for both teachers and parents and must be carefully planned. Teachers should communicate with parents not just when students misbehave, but when they are doing well. Communication should be regular (conferences, newsletters, phone calls, parent meetings) as well as personal. Part of this communication should involve the teacher getting to know the student better through the expertise of the parent. Another step schools can take is to regularly monitor school-family activities to evaluate their effectiveness. Schools must begin to see parents as partners with the school. Parents are able to offer so many insights and understandings into their children that would benefit the school. Teachers and administrators need to begin to ask insightful questions and then LISTEN to what is shared. Only when parents are heard and encouraged to share what they know about their children will a stronger communication and trust exist between the school and home.

These steps alone may not be enough. Effective outreach to parents begins with several assumptions: all families have strengths that can be built upon, parents care deeply for their children, cultural differences are to be valued, parents of at-risk children have the capacity to learn new skills and strategies to help their children at home, and parents benefit from feeling empowered. Of all the community relationships that should be built between the community and the school, parental involvement is by far the most important. As parent involvement increases schools can then begin to reach out to the larger community. By involving the public, schools will serve the greater cause, that of preparing students for the "real world".

Ways to resolve this issue
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One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
This is the only year each child has with you. Make this year a year they will never forget!

One lesson every student should learn
At Open House I read a story called The Star Polisher by Leah Becks. The story is about a teacher who tells that children are like stars, each one is different with a unique and important place in the world. The teacher's role is to polish each star, encouraging each one to be the brightest and shiniest they can be, and to recognize that the world would not be as bright without each one of them. This is my philosophy and I try to live out this philosophy, every day in my classroom.

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