Philosophy
Students walk into each of my classes with different abilities, talents, skills and fears. Each of these students has the necessary skill set to become a competent writer and a critical reader. Throughout the semester each of these students can grow in their understanding of oral and written English, better preparing them for both higher education and the marketplace. However, students only grow if I as the teacher facilitate growth. To that end I believe in developing the following for every class and every students.
Instructional
- I will promote a respectful and safe atmosphere for all students to learn and grow.
- I will cultivate a class culture that is comfortable asking questions that do not have a single correct answer.
- As the teacher, I am not the source of all knowledge. Students possess a remarkable amount of expertise and new ideas on a wide range of topics. In my class, students must be prepared to learn from each other.
Writing
- Students become writers by writing – every day.
- Process writing generates quality writing. The writing process cannot be separated from superb writing instruction
- All types of writing including formal, informal, personal, journal, graphic novels, drama, tragedy, comedy, reporting, etc. are valued and used in my teaching.
- The teaching of writing, not simply the assigning of writing assignments, must occur for students to further develop their writing skills.
- Grammar will be emphasized in the context of writing instruction and will be relevantly evaluated in student writing.
Reading
- Critical Reading skills are developed through reading on a daily basis. In addition, class wide discussions that dissect nightly readings are imperative to the development of a reader.
- Reading is used both for the study of literary works and to analyze the writing craft used by professional writers.
- Although grammar will be taught as a writing technique, students will learn to observe the use of grammar in the craft of other writers.
- Reading will be used to introduce new ideas and concepts to students both from a literary and a cultural perspective.
