Melanie J. Teemant
Nevada Teacher of the Year
Bob Miller Middle School, Henderson
Grade 7, Accelerated Reading/Leadership

My teaching philosophy
I believe that high expectations yield high quality results. When high expectations are demanded from the beginning, a teacher transforms student potential into high quality learning, every time. Another important part of my teaching philosophy is that high expectations should not only be directed toward students. Teachers must also hold themselves as accountable for high quality teaching as they hold students for high quality learning performances. Every day, I have the opportunity to model my philosophy in my own actions. There are times when I think my plans for the students are good enough or that an activity I have planned will be fine just the way it is. There are many activities that could produce the same results even if I did not do a simulation or create a real-life experience. My philosophy of high expectations, however, pushes me to go beyond the obvious and give my students more than they expect of me. My goal is to bring academic goals to life for my students. It is helpful to me to treat every child as if he or she were my own child, and as if I were the only source of this pertinent information. Every single day, I make a conscious effort to give my students the best I have. How could I expect so much from them if I were not willing to give them my very best?

My philosophy in action
The students in my class know that “can’t” is not an option. I start the year by instilling a spirit of perseverance in them. I teach them that if there is a wall in their way, they can go around it, over it, under it, or through it, but they can never be stopped by it. I reinforce that as human beings, we have to be resourceful and willing to overcome the obstacles we face to get the life we ultimately want. Each year, I have students who have so much potential yet struggle to find and reach it. I consider it my duty and privilege to uncover their unique capabilities and encourage them to reach for it. Because each child is distinctive, it requires an approach that reminds them of that. In the classroom, there are brief, enlightening encounters that can become teachable moments, defining a child’s future and a teacher’s purpose. As a guardian of their human potential, I search for those defining moments in the classroom.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
Although being named Nevada Teacher of the Year for 2007 is a big one, my proudest accomplishments are the moments I have made an impact on a child’s life. The times when I have seen that a simple act of praise or having high expectations have made the difference in the life of my students.

My accomplishments in teaching, and in life, are not found in dozens of certificates on the wall or medals hanging from my neck. My rewards from teaching come when my students achieve things they thought were impossible. My greatest contribution to education is teaching my students that once you’ve learned something, you need to use it and share that knowledge to become a better person. I remain committed to the teaching profession because when my students understand that school learning has everything to do with real life, they capture a spirit of perseverance for learning worth struggling for, nurturing, and honoring.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Each educational issue and initiative is worthy of national debate from the schoolhouse to the White House; however, in my everyday life as an educator, I choose to act locally on an educational issue I have immediate power to contribute positively, that is, making parents a partner in their child’s education through meaningful involvement and improved overall student attendance. Regardless of the approach a school district, teacher, or administrator takes in improving and shaping their specific curriculum and pedagogy, the results still largely depend on the student and what kind of support they have at home. I make parents partners with me in the common goal of making sure that every child receives the best possible education and has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

Ways to resolve this issue
I can create a place where students want to be—a place where they know something special or interesting is happening everyday. In my classroom, the students never know what is up my sleeve, and they do not want to miss some great activity, game, or discussion we had and hear about it from another student the next day. I stimulate them to think and learn more than they thought was possible, but I also challenge them to find out about who they are and how they can be a better individual by being at school each day.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Keep it passionate and teach from the heart!

One lesson every student should learn
That as Americans, we are privileged to have access to a free and public education. From my own mother to my favorite high school teacher, I have learned that public school education is the foundation of this country; it is the quintessential source of future leaders in business, government, education, management, and every other profession that exists. Public education is what sustains our democracy. Students need to take advantage of the greatest educational opportunities that every individual has the opportunity to participate in.

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