Stephanie Seay
South Carolina Teacher of the Year
Wellford Elementary, Wellford
Grade K-5, All Subjects

My teaching philosophy
My personal teaching philosophy is best summarized by Saren Kierkgaard when he states, "To be a teacher is to be a learner. I am not a teacher...only a fellow learner." An outstanding teacher is a learner for life. As I enter our learning community each day, I ask myself, "What do I hope to learn today?" As I close each day, I ask, "What have I learned? How will I use what I have learned to help my students tomorrow?" I have asked these questions for ten years, and I have been a fellow learner all that time. I am still thrilled each time I see children's faces light up as they celebrate reaching a solution on their own or each time I see a perplexed expression as they work their way to a greater understanding of a concept. It reminds me that self-motivation and persistence are key to learning. I am excited to see their astonishment when they see a piece of wood float and a cotton ball sink. It reminds me that we can not predict based on appearances alone. Sometimes we must test the waters! My heart continues to be moved by the sight of a child who stops running the race in order to check on a classmate who has fallen. It reminds me there are more important things than winning. I am blessed each day to glean from the innocent wisdom of five year-olds. Although I am only a tiny part of the larger community of education, I am a part of something that has an enduring and eternal effect. I am a teacher and a fellow learner. Nothing could make me more proud.

My philosophy in action
As you approach my classroom, you can hear the buzz of 23 kindergartners actively engaged in their learning. Hannah Rose, Coleman, and Hannah Grace are writing their own play, The Three Mummies and the Ghost. Jamal, Ethan, Christopher, and Dionte are trying to solve a problem with the wooden bridge they have created. Alycia and Andrew are working together at the computer, researching African animals using the Internet. Hayley, Shanteriyian, and Jake measure the baby dolls, then measure fabric to sew clothes for the dolls. Yes - real hammers are used for the construction of bridges and real needles are used for sewing. As children work on these self-selected projects, they are learning that they are capable and responsible learners.

My personal teaching style reflects my belief in shared ownership. I set ambitious but reasonable expectations, taking into account each child's specific needs and strengths. I create an environment that allows children to be active learners who construct their own knowledge through meaningful interactions with people, materials, and ideas. I encourage risk-taking by providing an environment that is safe physically, emotionally, and socially. The children help to create the class rules that we will abide by in order to create a positive social climate. They express themselves and make choices. At the end of the day, they reflect on what they have learned, share with the class, and offer feedback to one another. They transform our classroom into a community of learners.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
Hanging on my classroom wall is a quilt of our learning community's hopes and dreams. Early in the year, I asked my students and their parents to share their hopes and dreams for the kindergarten year. I was moved by the responses. The parents expect academic success, but they also treasure childhood. They want more than proficient scores for their children. They want their children to "enjoy chasing fireflies," as Brian's mom wrote. Their words reflect the love parents have for their children and the trust they have placed in me. Reading their dreams reminded me of the awesome responsibility I have as a teacher. Zane wrote, "I hope I get to paint." His mom wrote, "I hope Zane is always encouraged to share his gift of creativity. He sees the world with the eyes of an artist." Hannah Grace wrote, "I hope I make people happy when they are sad." Her parents wrote, "We hope she keeps her sweet spirit, continues to love learning, and finds happiness."

There are several degrees, certificates of achievement, and awards hanging on my walls. They are signs of my teaching accomplishments. However, my greatest accomplishments hang in the quilt on my classroom wall. Helping children and parents believe in their dreams and empowering to reach them is all the reward I could hope for. Their successes, however great or small, are my greatest accomplishments.

The most critical issues facing educators
While we have made many strides in education, we continue to struggle with inadequacy and inequality of funding. Lack of appropriate funds impacts many aspects of education such as teacher recruitment and retention, class size, proper teaching training, quality preschool services, parent/family programs, extracurricular activities, to name a few. As these programs and resources suffer, reaching rigorous standards for proficiency becomes more difficult. When schools struggle to reach levels of proficiency as required by No Child Left Behind legislation, public opinion of schools decreases. A negative public perception of schools may lead to a lack of financial support which leads to less than ideal working conditions, which leads to low teacher morale, and so a negative cycle continues.

Ways to resolve this issue
I believe this cycle is perpetuated by society's determination to fix its schools rather than strengthen its communities. Schools belong to communities. Their stakeholders are children, parents, businesses, colleges and universities, and teachers. To strengthen our communities, and thus our schools, we must capitalize on the strength of all our stakeholders. Teachers and school must collaborate with one another, as well as families and businesses. We can inform and involve parents and the community through newsletters, websites, volunteer programs, family days/nights at school, inviting business/community leaders to school events and school board meetings, etc.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
"Be the change you wish to see." Ghandi

One lesson every student should learn
"When you give of yourself, you receive more than you give."
Antoine de Saint Exupery

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had difficulty choosing between these so I decided to share both. All students should learn that they must experience knowledge and construct understanding for themselves. To do that, they must live. As they relish each moment, or lesson, in life, they must also give to others. In doing so, they will enrich not only their own lives, but our world.

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