Susanne M. Burkhardt
Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Simpsonville Elementary, Simpsonville
Grades 2-3

My teaching philosophy
I view my classroom of students like a box of crayons. Each crayon exists in the box for the same purpose, but each brings its own unique color and potential for creation. Like the crayons in a box, each child is wonderfully different. Their differences bring complexity and expression to our classroom community. It is my intent that each child finds her/his individual niche in our classroom through discovering and using unique talents and gifts to bring brilliant, diverse color to the blank canvas that was our classroom many months before.

Philosophically, I adhere to the constructivist theory of teach and learning. I believe students gain genuine understanding through the construction of knowledge.

My philosophy in action
I intentionally create a classroom environment that will nurture and value every background, learning style, student and the relationship I have with her/him. I model appreciation for differences through what I say and how I act and react to students.

It is my job to discover and use the gifts that each student possesses to make learning meaningful and successful. It is through these areas of strength that a student can develop and improve areas of need. (e.g., a student gifted in the area of artistic expression may best express reading comprehension through an artistic medium)

I structure an authentic, challenging learning community that mirrors the collaborative process of the real world. I am committed to integrated learning that provides a greater opportunity to meet individual learning needs. When learning crosses subject areas it is not only more real to life, but it also allows for more students to learn and be successful.

I know my students as individuals, which allows me to make the best choices in facilitating their conversations and learning opportunities.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
My greatest accomplishment is the “Mayfield Excellence in Teaching” honor. (Mayfield City Schools Mayfield, Ohio) The top 40 graduating seniors each year are asked to select a teacher in elementary school who had the most influence on their success. When students recognize the impact of our time together on their lives many years later it is truly an honor to know that I was able to make a difference in their lives.

The most critical issues facing educators today
I believe it is the manner in which schools address the needs of their diverse populations that will determine the future of public education. Public schools are educating increasingly diverse populations of students. The extreme diversity that can exist within a single classroom can be an overwhelming challenge to public educators.

Ways to resolve this issue
As our population becomes more diverse, public schools need to examine their instructional methods in order to be successful with all students. Classrooms can no longer successfully function on the whole-class instruction model aimed at the “middle”. Successful differentiated instruction can take on many faces: small learning groups, cooperative groups, collaborative settings, interest groups, etc. One current practice that I believe could be a key to providing a high-quality education to a diverse population is to create more rigorous, engaging learning experiences that promote the construction rather than memorization of knowledge. Brain research confirms that the brain is a meaning-seeking machine—no matter what language you speak, where you live, or your family’s income. Diverse populations demand that we allow students to make content their own in a standards-based learning environment that is grounded in the knowledge basis of the disciplines and their professional associations. What a student creates, s/he will understand in a way that makes sense to her or him.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Children are the only future of the human race.

One lesson every student should learn
Every student should learn to ask powerful questions and find personally satisfying answers.

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