Edythe J. Hayes Middle School, 8th Grade Collaborative Teacher

"I believe my responsibility to my students is to impart critical knowledge and skills they need to make sense of their world and effectively adapt to the challenges of the future. My hope is that they will function independently, be equipped to pursue their life goals, as well as contribute positively to their families and communities. I believe content, problem solving skills and 'learning how to learn' must be part of their educational experience every day. In doing so, I strive to help students understand their particular strengths and weaknesses, foster an appreciation for diversity and facilitate the social skills necessary to effectively work with others. My perspective as an educator is that we only have a relatively short time in the course of our students lives. We can't afford to spend it on ineffective practices. From the time students enter our schools as preschoolers or kindergarteners, we're on deadline."