The greatest gift that one can be given, or one can bestow upon others, is knowledge.  And one of the most effective ways to let knowledge flow is to offer it with respect, courtesy, and honor.  I also believe with a firm passion that it is the responsibility of every teacher to instill respect and courtesy.  This can only be done by giving to student’s, fellow teacher’s, and everyone else one encounters in a day, all the respect each of us deserves.

My belief in tests is seen as a tool for greater opportunities to instruct.  They are not and end to a means, but rather a means to an end.  These assessment tools offer a wealth of information on how the students are absorbing the knowledge imparted.  It also shows if my teaching strategies are at optimal strength or if they can, and should be, adapted.

To this end a pre-test, post test assessment plan can better judge if knowledge is being transferred the way it should be.  What better way to understand the instruction process but to see what knowledge an individual came in with, and what knowledge was present after the lesson.  Once again, this is an opportunity.

All teaching should be seen as an opportunity.  The opportunities become even larger if it is known what knowledge one wants to impart.  The New York State Learning Standards and the NCLB Act give strong and clear guidance to that end.  Too many times an instruction theory believes in teaching the lesson plan and then creating an assessment to see if the lesson plan was successful.  I believe the opposite it true.  By having the objectives clearly in mind, it will be easier to create a lesson plan that is much more in tune.

Finally, I believe bias should be kept at a minimum.  Predispositions, and assumptions, and personal bias’ should be kept out of the class room.  I will remind myself everyday that if I expect the best from each and everyone of my students, then that is exactly what I will receive.  And that is, truly, a win-win atmosphere.