Wendy A. Miller
North Carolina Teacher of the Year
James W. Smith Elementary, Cove City
K-5, All Subjects

My teaching philosophy
My philosophy of teaching is based on my belief that learning is a life-long journey of exploration and discovery, during which all children can learn in a meaningful way. The role of a classroom teacher is to provide visionary leadership by creating a learning-centered climate where both teachers and students are committed to success. Because of this belief, my classroom is a unique learning place filled with excitement. I also believe in the holistic education of children in a safe and supportive atmosphere. I continually strive to help my students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Teachers must create a culture of continuous improvement by empowering students and parents to become active partners in the classroom. Self-assessment and reflection are crucial components in a successful learning environment. I feel teachers should set the tone of acceptance where all students are free to take risks. As a facilitator of learning, I inspire students to become independent thinkers as they explore their world and discover the joys of learning. I have never been satisfied with the thought that all children can learn... I believe all children can excel!

My philosophy in action
The quality of an outstanding teacher is his/her desire to create joy in learning. I create such joy by providing authentic opportunities for my students that are meaningful and engaging. In order to help my students make learning connections, my class is not the typical desks-in-a-row classroom. When students leave at the end of the day, they never know what to expect when they return. One Monday as the buses pulled on campus, students noticed a huge pirate ship in front of the school, complete with sails and flying flags! This gave them a subtle hint of the exciting journey on which they were about to embark. They entered their classroom to find it has been transformed into an island complete with 50 pounds of sand, gold, and treasure chests guarded by skeletons. In the mist of the excitement, a pirate entered the room and described, in her best pirate voice, the adventure about to take place. On another occasion, my students entered a medieval castle where a silly, and somewhat forgetful, queen guided them on a learning adventure. They have visited ancient Egypt (which included a 20-foot pyramid) and hiked deep in the Amazon rainforest around waterfalls, straw huts, live parrots, and an indoor lagoon filled with live fish. Most recently, my students journeyed back in time 65 million years with the aide of a mad scientist to discover roaming dinosaurs and a 12-foot active volcano that would periodically emit smoke. As a teacher, I realize I am in constant competition with video games, hand-held computers, palm pilots and fast-paced virtual reality experiences. My teaching style supports my beliefs that we are no longer only in the business of education, but also in edutainment. My beliefs about teaching are demonstrated daily as I strive to be the entertainer that systematically blends education with authentic, exciting learning experiences. My personal style of teaching is innovative and unique, yet has proven effective in stimulating and challenging the minds of my students. Not only have my mentally disabled students had outstanding test scores, high attendance, and the lowest discipline rate in the school, they have discovered the joy of learning, the satisfaction of accomplishment, and the precious gifts of hope and love.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
In the past few years I have been recognized many times for my accomplishments in the classroom and innovative teaching methods. I have met the rigorous standards to receive National Board Certification. I have been recognized by Disney, appeared on the Wayne Brady Show, and have been featured in several magazines. While all of these accomplishments have given me the opportunity to speak passionately about the teaching profession, the greatest accomplishment to me is making a difference in the lives of my students. Each day children come to me as the blueprints of our future, and each day I have the wonderful opportunity to pick up the tools of teaching and begin to construct a miracle. While teaching mentally disabled students in a separate class, I worked to achieve academic gains no one could have predicted. The average reading level of my class was greater than the school average, while my discipline rate remained the lowest. We celebrated as the end of grade test results revealed that 100% of my students were proficient in math. On local assessments my students even outscored the academically gifted students on several objectives. My contribution is giving students the greatest gifts a teacher can ever give - hope and love. The type of construction I do as a teacher does not require nails, but knowledge. It does not require a tape measure, but a simple touch. It does not require a hammer, but a heart. This empowering combination helps students soar to new heights. My construction is complete as small children wrap themselves around my legs and call me their hero. It is then that I realize I have helped build childhood dreams into skyscrapers of success. There is no greater contribution or more fulfilling accomplishment than that.

The most critical issues facing teachers today
The one issue that seems to be the most controversial is No Child Left Behind. While concern from the education circle has been voiced, I feel the reasons behind the development of this accountability system are based on needed reform. The policy was developed to assure that schools are providing a quality education to ALL students. As a licensed special education teacher, I see the need for a radical change in the way we educate certain populations of students. For far too long, not all schools have set high expectations for all students. Students were identified with a disability and then that disability became an excuse. One positive effect of No Child Left Behind is the high standards that are now set for teachers, para-professionals, and schools. Since the passing of this policy, we have seen more focused instruction and more money allotted to schools than ever before. There has been a shift to a “no excuses” attitude as we look at various disabled, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.

As with any radical reform, there are effects that may be detrimental to some schools and educators. The standards of No Child Left Behind are unrealistic and are inconsistent from one state to the next. The idea of using a one-day test to determine student proficiency is invalid and may not show growth in other important areas related to the holistic education of children. Due to subgroup clustering, schools are judged on different standards based on the number of at-risk students they serve. The public doesn’t always understand these measures. These schools may appear to be failing in the eyes of the community, and this appearance puts our community/school partnerships at risk.

Ways to resolve this issue
Resolutions to No Child Left Behind would require teachers to have an active voice in the reform of the law. Even though there is more funding than ever before, it is not enough to do just what the law suggests. We must focus our efforts on closing the gap among all student populations. I feel an accountability system that is based on individual student gains and school progress is much more appropriate for measuring student success. I have several students who made more than two years’ growth in reading, yet were still not on grade level. High performing students must also be challenged to grow. I feel there must be a growth component considered in the No Child Left Behind criteria. Finally, unless testing is used to implement change in the way we educate our children, the law is unlikely to change anything. The only effects will be teachers leaving the profession, communities becoming disenfranchised with our schools, and public education being put at risk.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Children don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Build relationships first and academic excellence will follow.

One lesson every student should learn
Dream big, for out of dreams come miracles. Each time someone tells you it’s impossible, do your best to make it possible.

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