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Amber Escamilla

Vision Statement

"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." -- Henry Adams
(Adams, 1918). Something I have found to ring true so far in my education is that there are so
many things that make up an excellent teacher. There are many facets and features to this
important quality/skill set. One thing that is crucial for an educator to possess is passion. An
educator must have a thirst to teach children and to touch their lives indeterminately. Showing a
child kindness, especially in instances when their life might lack any kindness can forever affect
who these children become.
Essential qualities a teacher must possess in order to ensure success of their students
include; a passion to teach, empathy, adaptability, a can-do attitude, the ability to motivate and
most of all patience. A teacher cannot be blind to each students differences but rather
embrace them and their uniqueness. As an educator, one must model and encourage
appreciation for students' cultural heritage, unique endowments, learning styles, interests, and
needs (Texas Teacher Proficiencies, 1997).

Essential skills are required of an educator. One must keep themselves informed with the
latest research and methods. A teacher adapts their teaching style constantly to fit the needs of
his or her students. There is no perfect or best way to teach (Jensen, 2005, chap. 11). One
must always be looking for ways to improve in their proficiencies, knowledge and methods. As a
great teacher, I will remain dedicated to all students' success; demonstrate a commitment to

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learn, to improve the profession, and to maintain professional ethics and personal integrity
(Texas Teacher Proficiencies, 1997).

Essential elements of a classroom are based on safety, respect and are learner-centered.
Learner centered classrooms have many key elements. To create a learner-centered community,
the teacher collaboratively identifies needs; and plans, implements, and assesses instruction
using technology and other resources (Texas Teacher Proficiencies, 1997). One significant
motivator in the classroom is cooperative learning. According to Kagan, A study across student
groups and geographic regions found studentsshare a common preference for cooperative
learning (Kagan, 2009, chap. 3:7). As an educator, I will constantly be searching for ways to
motivate, encourage and engage all students. With classroom management being the downfall of
most new teachers, it is helpful to know that with cooperative learning, there were reportedly
fewer discipline problems. This could be because theyre more engaged and enjoy class more
and therefore disrupt class less. (Kagan, 2009, chap. 3:7)

"You learn something new every day if you pay attention."--Ray LeBlond. I look
forward to my path in the teaching profession hopeful and with an open mind. I am confident
that I will make continued progress and constantly improve my abilities. There isnt a profession
more impactful than an educator; helping to influence and shape children into the adults they will
become. I do this knowing that as I am teaching every student, they are also teaching me.

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References

Adams, H. (1918). The Education of Henry Adams. Auckland: The Floating Press.

Learner-Centered Schools for Texas. (1997) A Vision of Texas Educators, Texas State
Board of Education

Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the Brain in Mind. Alexandria, VA: Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Kagan, S. (2009). Cooperative learning. San Juan Capistrano, CA: Kagan Cooperative
Learning.

Ray LeBlond quotes Quotes

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/6875706.Ray_LeBlond_quotes