My Core Teaching Principles 
Embrace Multiple Perspectives: Seek to understand diverse viewpoints and incorporate them into instruction. Why? To build empathy and respect as well as to develop ideas that are sensitive to the experiences of others
Foster Relationships: Foster relationships between myself and my students as well as among students. Why? To create a safe environment that encourages students to take risks and maximize their learning potential
Advocate: Be a voice to support students' wellbeing including their academic, emotional, social, and physical needs. Why? Children need champions, and teachers are in a unique position to recognize and address students' varied needs
Adapt: Embrace changing circumstances and adjust/implement practices based on new learning. Why? To best meet the needs of my students and prepare them for future success
Value Students' Autonomy: Encourage curiosity, choice, creativity, and independent thinking. Why? To help students discover a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom or an obligation
Utilize MTSS process to discuss student concerns with colleagues/administrators and define an action plan to move forward
Morning meeting routine that builds relationships between students and myself as well as among students
Teach relevant content that excites students and allows them to make connections with their prior knowledge
Encourage students' asking questions and explore answers together as a class
Be open-minded to ideas of colleagues and willing to try new things
Adjusting reading instruction based on what I've learned about the Science of Reading
Integration of technology with introduction of 1:1 devices this year
Collaborative learning opportunities that maximize interaction with peers
Collaborate with students' families and other teachers a student may work with to ensure continuity of support
Content includes topics that inform students about other cultures, lifestyles, ways of thinking, and historical events
Learn new teaching methods to accommodate distance learning during the pandemic
Seek to understand families' perspectives and assume the best intent
Express care toward students in all areas of their lives, not just their academic performance
Check-ins during breakfast where my primary goal is to be an attentive listener to students
Provide choices in topics, products, and processes when completing activities in the classroom
Be a teacher leader: An educator whose empathy inspires action How? Strike a balance... be open minded to others' beliefs yet stay true to my core values; listen to understand yet be willing to speak up and DO something; invite and encourage others more so than directing them; be a bold risk taker AND be vulnerable enough to share setbacks along the way
Principle 1: Actions driven by values, goals, and empathy.
Respect and learn from others' perspectives, engage in professional development opportunities to help inform my own beliefs, and ultimately be guided by what I feel is best for my unique group of students at that particular time
Principle 2: Be inviting to others by listening, being vulnerable, and by acting a source of positive energy
Principle 3: Take risks - seek out new information, make changes to teaching practices, and share new learning (from successes & failures) with others