Stanely Murphy
California Teacher of the Year
School of International Studies, San Diego High Educational Complex
San Diego, CA
Grades 9 through 12, Social Studies

My teaching philosophy
All teachers must maintain an enthusiasm for teaching. Teaching is difficult. Teaching is a struggle. It is important for me to keep in mind the words of Frederick Douglass, "if there is no struggle, there is no progress". Never give up on students. All students can and must excel. All things are possible. Teachers who maintain a belief in all possibilities will be able to go past the struggle and progress from it. It is important for every teacher to continue to grow in knowledge and improve what they are able to do. Students can have meaningful educational experiences inside and outside the classroom. Teachers experience great joy from student achievement and growth.

My philosophy in action
I maintain high expectations for all of my students. I instill in my students the idea that "all things are possible". And then I seek ways to make that happen for each student. I have taught enough years to realize that remarkable accomplishments happen in the classroom everyday. I go to work each day expecting that my greatest contribution to education and student achievement is going to happen on that day. I attempt to create a classroom where success is the expectation. I have attempted to be the type of teacher who provides students with meaningful experiences inside and outside the classroom.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest teaching accomplishment is the creation of programs that generate a synergy between activities inside and outside the classroom. The synergy has increased student academic engagement and improved student achievement. When a colleague and I started the International Friendship Club on campus, there were no secondary educational exchanges between the Soviet Union and the United States. But that didn't stop us; after all we believed "all things are possible". We started by writing letters to the Soviet Peace Committee. They responded by suggesting student and teacher exchanges. As a result, I took the first group of San Diego High students to Moscow in 1988 where we had a wonderful weeklong peace camp and a two-week home stay. The following spring, students and teachers from Moscow came to San Diego. The program has since expanded to include schools in Argentina and Austria with student and teacher exchanges going in all directions. All students involved in the program have a new perspective on the world. Many have gone on to careers in international business or Foreign Service. Most of teachers and students remain close friends. I took 13 students to Austria in the summer of 2004. Thirty students from Russia and Austria will come to San Diego in the spring of 2005.

The most critical issues facing educators today
While most educational stakeholders welcome the renewed interest of the Federal Government in successful educational achievement of every child, the biggest debates in public education today surround the controversial "No Child Left Behind" law (NCLB). Politicians and educators disagree over whether the new law (NCLB) will enhance student learning and provide a solution to education problems such as the achievement gap. Supporters suggest that the new law will lead to highly qualified teachers, high expectations, and much needed school accountability. Critics charge that the new law relies on testing, paperwork, bureaucracy, and a lack of funding.The critics say that NCLB will not enhance student learning and label the new law as a "reform hoax". If nothing else, the debate suggests that there are issues related to the new law that need to be addressed by educators in order for the law to be effective.

Ways to resolve this issue
It is imperative that members of the educational community continue the debate over NCLB and develop solutions to problems raised by the new law. The development of alternative methods of assessing school accountability may help to resolve this issue. Adequate funding will help. Flexibility in identifying "qualified teachers" will help.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Great things happen in the classroom each day. You may not become aware of your part in this greatness from many years.

One lesson every student should learn
All things are possible. You can accomplish any goal.

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