Susan Barnard
Washington Teacher of the Year
CHOICE Alternative High School, Shelton
Grades 9-12, Language Arts

My teaching philosophy
I believe that all students can learn. As a teacher, I must assess students’ skills and start instruction at the appropriate levels. I believe that reading is the foundation skill on which other skills are built. As a teacher, I must build relationships with my students, hold high expectations, start where their skill levels are, celebrate small successes and build on those successes.

My philosophy in action
I work with students who have low reading and writing skills. I start them at appropriate levels, individualizing for each student. I am firm as I hold them to task, yet flexible when an individual needs a different approach or different words of encouragement. My instruction each day must adapt to the specific needs of the students as I provide skills and strategies for learning. When I work with students who have higher skills, I focus on higher level critical thinking skills.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
Prior to receiving the Teacher of the Year award for 2006, my greatest accomplishment was to see students who were reading at a third- or fourth-grade level when they came to me, reach graduation. Serving as leader of the district literacy team has also been a rewarding accomplishment; the effect of the team’s work has been the improvement of K-12 reading and writing instruction throughout our district.

The most critical issue facing teachers today
The most critical issue facing educators today is the disparity of opportunities for students based on socio-economic factors. Families that live in poverty cannot provide their children with rich background experiences on which to build knowledge. These children suffer from a poverty of experience.

Ways to resolve this issue
Try to involve parents and the wider community to hold the value of education in high esteem.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Teaching has the potential to influence society. A teacher can make a significant difference in the lives of children and eventually in the success of communities. The more effective the teacher, the wider reach of his/her influence and impact. The downside is that a teacher may never know her influence. It takes patience and persistence before a teacher might see the fruits of those seeds he planted.

One lesson every student should learn
Respect yourself and the rights of others.

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