Kimberly Kyff
Michigan Teacher of the Year
Jamieson Elementary, Detroit
Grade 5

My teaching philosophy
I believe that educators must have their feet planted in the past, present and the future. We must look to the past in order to know what has worked and what has not in order to shape our instruction. We must be cognizant of each student’s past experiences and build on them in order to empower students to reach their highest potential. We must be aware of the current needs and circumstances of our students and classrooms in order to alter our instructional practices as necessary. Additionally, we must be aware of the future needs of society in order to help our students become responsible, contributing members.

I also believe that we, as teachers, are involved in an intricate dance with our students. We work with them, lead them and form relationships with our students and their families, bringing them into a new and exciting world of unlimited possibilities. Without engaging in this dance, we will fail to form the deep and trusting relationships that are integral to the learning process. We lead our students in a dance toward learning, and in doing so provide them the opportunity to love learning.

All students can learn, and it is the primary responsibility of the teacher to make knowledge accessible to everyone. A teacher must acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of each individual in the classroom and take these differences into account when designing instruction. We must be flexible in our approach and adapt our practice as necessary, based on informal and formal observations, formative and summative evaluations, and knowledge of our students’ interests, abilities, skills, prior knowledge, and familial and peer relationships.

Furthermore, effective teachers must regularly reflect upon their teaching practices and strategies. It is imperative that teachers remain life-long learners, continually expanding the knowledge base of their subject area and research-based instructional best practices. In constantly enhancing their repertoire, teachers are able to create multiple paths to knowledge, empowering each student to take control of his or her learning.

An educator must establish an environment in the classroom that encourages student responsibility. The teacher must guide students toward developing a classroom community. The classroom needs to inspire curiosity, honesty, fairness, respect, and an appreciation and tolerance for differences. Such an environment encourages students to take the risks necessary for learning.

My philosophy in action
The decisions I make in my classroom are based on what will have the greatest impact on my students’ learning and achieving. I believe in taking each student from where they are and building on their strengths to facilitate optimal growth. I constantly examine my practices to determine where I need to improve and what I need to do in order to facilitate instruction. Through on-going professional development, I demonstrate the necessity of life-long learning to my students.

My personal teaching style is student-centered and inquiry-based. I believe that students must feel involved in their education and understand the relevance of what we are learning. We regularly discuss, examine and explore the world around us. The students in my classroom learn to feel in control of their lives and their learning. When students become invested in the learning process, their achievement soars. The rewards I find in teaching are limitless.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
I believe that my greatest teaching accomplishment is that every child leaves my classroom with increased confidence and self-assurance. They gain a sense of control over their lives and their learning.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Public education is experiencing rapid changes and facing several significant issues as a result. Foremost among them are the ongoing implementation and upcoming reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, preparing students to compete in a global economy, and equity. Each of these issues will elicit conversation, if not heated debate, both inside the education establishment and throughout the community at large. I believe the issues of equity, the closing of the educational gap, along with that of preparing students to compete globally are intertwined.

Nationally, we are in a transitional period. We are now not only competing among and between states for standing and employment, but also against the populations of other nations. The impact of this on the educational system is that we must prepare more students for advanced degrees. Clearly, in order to prepare more students for highly skilled professions, we will need to close the achievement gap.

Providing an equal education opportunity for all members of American society has been the cornerstone of the American education system. One can argue today that we are failing to meet that promise, and have fallen short of providing equal opportunities for all of our children. I submit that if we, as a nation, do not closely examine and take steps to address the issue of equity, we will not be capable of meeting the needs of our new technologically challenging society. Excellence for the education of all our students simply cannot be attained if equity is ignored. We will not be successful in raising educational achievement for the overall population without substantial improvements from low achievers. It is imperative that we dramatically improve instruction in high priority schools. As one goal of this mission, teachers in these schools need to view their students’ cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic differences as sources of strength upon which to build a solid, long-lasting instructional system.

Each year, increasing numbers of students enter school with circumstances in their lives that schools are ill prepared to address. I am well aware of the myriad challenges working with these students can present to even experienced educators. We not only must make the necessary accommodations for real life circumstances of the students to ensure their achieving at high levels, but we also must create the next generation of skilled professionals.

Ways to resolve these issues
One proactive approach to assist us in moving in this direction is placing highly qualified, well-trained teachers in high priority areas. To entice highly proficient teachers to high priority areas, it would be beneficial to provide a system of incentives. I suggest this approach because, even as enthusiastic as I am about teaching in an urban setting, when I first came to Detroit, after ten years in a semi-urban environment, initially I was sure I had made an error in judgment. The low-income child is caught in a vise that never lets go. The majority enter the public education setting functioning at a level below that of their more affluent peers. Nonetheless. these students are expected to meet the same standards, at the same time, as students entering the educational setting with more highly honed skills and background knowledge. This achievement gap must be closed in order for our nation to experience true, across-the-board educational reform.

Establishment of a universal early childhood program is another avenue to create equity among students. The funding of this program could be based on a sliding scale determined by parents’ educational and income levels. In this fashion, the child with the least resources would receive the necessary supports to equalize their instructional opportunities. A solid universal early childhood education program focuses on student assets without stigmatizing students’ individual challenges. The young child is provided the opportunities and learning experiences necessary to develop background knowledge and learning skills.

Early childhood education programs serve several purposes: They level the playing field. They play a contributory role in building a strong base of graduates to meet the growing demand for highly skilled professionals who will excel in a highly competitive global society. As Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” The time has arrived for us to provide each and every child in the nation with an equal educational opportunity. Through universal early childhood programs for our youngest children and ensuring high quality teachers are in high priority schools, at long last we will move a long way toward a level playing field, empowering all children to achieve their full potential and to become contributing members of society.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Every day, you can make a positive impact on the lives of your students.

One lesson every student should learn
Every student should know they are valued and worthwhile individuals who can achieve their goals.

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