Ronnie Stanford
Alaska Teacher of the Year
Barrow High School/Hopson Middle School, Barrow, AK
Grades 6-12, Music

My teaching philosophy
Teaching is about kids. Every one of them is an individual and we must customize the instruction to their knowledge and learning styles. It is not easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. As we take each individual student and help them maximize their potential, we must be patient, persistent and teach with passion.

My philosophy in action
Everyday, I give time to each individual student. In class, that may mean individual performance instruction and assessment followed by more individual performance instruction and assessment until mastery is obtained. It may also mean time set aside for individual instruction before of after school. I can quickly determine the individual students’ progress and not the progress of the majority. I don't want to leave any of my students behind.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment is giving my students the opportunity to succeed after graduating from high school. That extends way beyond the classroom. My students live in an isolated village in the Arctic, 500 miles from the nearest road. The opportunities my students have must be created on a daily basis. With an unemployment rate of 15%-20%, 250 days below freezing and 67 days of darkness without ever seeing the sun, Barrow can take its toll on the hardiest person. The character of the Inupiat people is beyond measure. They have taken their will to survive and created a culture that has blossomed for thousands of years and continues to thrive today. By giving my students opportunities in and out of the classroom, I hope they will continue to thrive for many years to come in their fast changing world.
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The most critical issues facing educators today
The most critical issue facing educators today is the achievement gap due to socio-economic status, ethnicity and language barriers.

Ways to resolve this issue
Education is like a room with 8 windows and one door. The eight windows represent the learning styles, different ways of knowing and the differences in all of us. The room is where the knowledge is found and the door represents the same assessment style we have used for decades. Although we may bring students to the knowledge through different ways, we are not able to get them all through the door. Should we have more doors or keep one door and make all students the same?

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
The words to "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan

May God bless and keep you always,
May your wishes all come true,
May you always do for others
And let others do for you.
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
Stand upright and be strong,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young,
Forever young, forever young,
May you stay forever young.

One lesson every student should learn
Give back to your community.

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