Susan Evans
Virginia Teacher of the Year
Rural Retreat High School, Rural Retreat
Grades 10-12, Mathematics

My teaching philosophy
A good teacher knows his/her curriculum, but an outstanding teacher loves his/her course content and cannot wait to share his/her love of the material with his/her students. A good teacher is organized and fair, while an outstanding teacher is able to be flexible with a lesson plan or assignment if it is going to improve the learning of a child. A good teacher believes that every student can learn, but an outstanding teacher finds a way for every student to do so. In this day of standardized testing, students are counting on their teachers to prepare them to pass the necessary tests and make the necessary benchmarks so that they can be successful. An outstanding teacher understands the stress placed on young people and works with them as a whole person. You cannot be an outstanding teacher in this day and age and not open yourself to being a counselor, confidant and friend to so many children that need much more than knowledge from you.

My philosophy in action
Working every day to try to be the definition of an outstanding teacher described above.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
When students tell me, “this is the first time I ever understood math.”

The most critical issues facing educators today
Making sure that the education we are providing our children will make them competitive in the global marketplace.

Ways to resolve these issues
Researching other countries’ education programs and being open-minded about radical changes in our present system, keeping a focus on what is best for the children, not us.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
No child wants to fail or disappoint. What are reasons this happens? Could you be the person who removes those barriers to success?

One lesson every student should learn
Your character is defined by the decisions you make that no one will ever know about.

Back to the 2007 Teacher Profiles home page