What Educate Means to Me
As an educator, I believe it is my responsibility to build choice into my curriculum and to provide students with the skills they will need to make the correct choices in life. Mathematics is an essential element for providing students the opportunity for choice in life. By this, I mean, success in mathematics can directly result in providing positive outcomes for students.
A student who successfully passes Algebra I, and the mathematics portion of the CAHSEE, has the opportunity to graduate from high school. A student who goes on to pass two levels of higher math courses has the opportunity to attend a four-year college. Additionally, a student who passes an advance placement level of Trigonometry and/or Calculus has the option to attend an even better four-year college. Aside from college placements, students who are successful in mathematics are not only well versed in arithmetic, but they have proven that they have the ability to think critically, examine problems abstractly and can use these skills to solve problems. These are the elements that allow us to be truly successful in life.
As an educator, I prepare my students for these opportunities through my curriculum, classroom environment and personal relationships with my students. Some examples of day-to-day activities include:
• Believing that math allows an inherent opportunity to teach critical thinking through problem solving. Critical thinking is taught as a tool for liberation. The practice allows students to be successful in content and life areas that they may never have been exposed to.
• Allowing students to use the method that works best for them. There is never a wrong way to find an answer.
• Using technology to deliver content that is exciting and rich. Students are thus required to use such measures to prove mastery of the standards addressed.
• Delivering lessons to all students and affording all students the modifications to suit their individual needs.
The word EDUCATE is one I take seriously and holistically. As an educator, I take on many roles with pride. Whether I am a mentor, tour guide, advisor or friend, my role is to always enable my students to have choice in their lives so that they may grow up to be productive and active participants in life.