About me.....
Selma, Alabama was my home for 18 years. After graduating from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with a degree in Business Education, I then moved to Montgomery, AL where I received my M.B.A. from Auburn University. In 1989 I made my final move to Fairhope, AL, which I now call home. My career has included being a professional fundraiser for 17 years, a realtor for 15 years and somewhere in between a teacher for two years, one at the High School level and one at the Junior College level. As you can see my entire career has been focused around people. I have enjoyed each aspect of this journey and look forward to entering into a new type of educational arena…. ACCESS Learning.
MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY…..
Commitment…is so very important in every aspect of our lives. To instill this importance in my students is a top priority for me. It is a commitment from me to them to do my best for them not only academically but emotionally and socially.
Advocate for students…For students to feel you are really there for them is a key to keeping their interest. First impressions are lasting impressions and The Teacher’s Manifesto, by William Chamberlain, will be framed and posted in a very conspicuous location in my classroom.
Flexibility and Fairness…Every child is an individual and should be treated as such. What reaches one may not reach another so it is so vitally important to keep many tools in our little bag of educational tricks. Try one and then another until you find the right combination that works.
Leadership and Experience…Because I have spent most of my career out of the classroom, the experiences I have gleamed from the world of business will only add to my ability to impart this knowledge to students. I learned a long time ago that a positive, open minded attitude can go a long way in today’s highly charged environment.
TECHNOLOGY…Shift Happens, should be required viewing for every academician. If it does not scare you to death, it will reinforce your commitment to be knowledgeable in as many technology resources out there as you can, and strive to constantly become proficient in those you find most helpful. If not, it will not be any child left behind, it will be the teacher.
EDM 310 has introduced me to a whole new world of teaching tools: Google, Google Earth, i Tunes University, You Tube and numerous other Resources. These tools are free, easy to learn and available anytime, anywhere. There is no excuse anymore for not taking advantage of these in order to provide the opportunities our students need and expect. In this technological age, many students are already way more proficient at this, and just maybe we can learn a few lessons from them.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SKILLS…can also be included as part of the technology experience. Blogging and Twittering are key ingredients for collaborating with other teachers and classrooms around the world. This can be a win win situation for all involved.
TESTING…Not sure exactly where this belongs, but I feel strongly that tests are not always an appropriate way to measure a student’s ability. The Burp Back Education of the past is no longer acceptable today. We need to evaluate more by participation and collaborative efforts. And the combination of skills from different disciplines should be used to reach common goals.
LIFE LONG LEARNING…means education for life. Education should be treated as if it were on a constant continuum, not just class room learning. It is our role as a teacher to set an example for them to follow. We give our students the tools, introduce them to a worldwide learning community and encourage them to soak it all in. The excitement of their experiences in turn ignites our enthusiasm to continue to provide all we can and as much as we can. It is a never ending cycle and always should be.
HAVING FUN…has not only been my philosophy throughout my personal life but for my professional life, too. You have got to enjoy what you do in order to continue doing it, also, to do it well and communicate this to others around you, whether it be students, the public or your own children. God gave us the ability and it is up to us to enlighten others.
FINALLY... BEING PASSIONATE…One only needs to listen to Randy Pausch’s Final Lecture, to understand the power we all hold in our hands.
Advocate for students…For students to feel you are really there for them is a key to keeping their interest. First impressions are lasting impressions and The Teacher’s Manifesto, by William Chamberlain, will be framed and posted in a very conspicuous location in my classroom.
Flexibility and Fairness…Every child is an individual and should be treated as such. What reaches one may not reach another so it is so vitally important to keep many tools in our little bag of educational tricks. Try one and then another until you find the right combination that works.
Leadership and Experience…Because I have spent most of my career out of the classroom, the experiences I have gleamed from the world of business will only add to my ability to impart this knowledge to students. I learned a long time ago that a positive, open minded attitude can go a long way in today’s highly charged environment.
TECHNOLOGY…Shift Happens, should be required viewing for every academician. If it does not scare you to death, it will reinforce your commitment to be knowledgeable in as many technology resources out there as you can, and strive to constantly become proficient in those you find most helpful. If not, it will not be any child left behind, it will be the teacher.
EDM 310 has introduced me to a whole new world of teaching tools: Google, Google Earth, i Tunes University, You Tube and numerous other Resources. These tools are free, easy to learn and available anytime, anywhere. There is no excuse anymore for not taking advantage of these in order to provide the opportunities our students need and expect. In this technological age, many students are already way more proficient at this, and just maybe we can learn a few lessons from them.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SKILLS…can also be included as part of the technology experience. Blogging and Twittering are key ingredients for collaborating with other teachers and classrooms around the world. This can be a win win situation for all involved.
TESTING…Not sure exactly where this belongs, but I feel strongly that tests are not always an appropriate way to measure a student’s ability. The Burp Back Education of the past is no longer acceptable today. We need to evaluate more by participation and collaborative efforts. And the combination of skills from different disciplines should be used to reach common goals.
LIFE LONG LEARNING…means education for life. Education should be treated as if it were on a constant continuum, not just class room learning. It is our role as a teacher to set an example for them to follow. We give our students the tools, introduce them to a worldwide learning community and encourage them to soak it all in. The excitement of their experiences in turn ignites our enthusiasm to continue to provide all we can and as much as we can. It is a never ending cycle and always should be.
HAVING FUN…has not only been my philosophy throughout my personal life but for my professional life, too. You have got to enjoy what you do in order to continue doing it, also, to do it well and communicate this to others around you, whether it be students, the public or your own children. God gave us the ability and it is up to us to enlighten others.
FINALLY... BEING PASSIONATE…One only needs to listen to Randy Pausch’s Final Lecture, to understand the power we all hold in our hands.
