Sue Butler
Years in Education: 3 years
Grade/Subject Level: Kindergarten
In their words:
The reason why I have decided to become a teacher is to make a difference in a child’s life. I believe that each child, regardless of their demographics, have the ability to achieve their dreams and I want the opportunity to provide them the tools and strategies that are needed in order to make their dreams a reality. I inspire to involve my students in the learning process and to be a facilitator of learning!
Katherine Thrift
Years in Education: 12 years
Grade/Subject Level: 1st grade
In their words:
My teaching philosophy is that all children are different and learn in unique ways and it is my goal to provide a loving, learning environment that provides opportunities for all types of learners to be engaged, challenged and encouraged. My classroom is a warm, safe environment for students to thrive.
Sarah Palmer
Years in Education: 12 years
Grade/Subject Level: 3rd grade
In their words:
I believe that every student has their own unique abilities and learning style. I strive to provide a safe, caring, and engaging environment for my students each day. My goal at the beginning of every school year is to build relationships, so that I can help them grow academically and socially. It’s important to me to teach my students that while everyone has their own differences, we can all work together to succeed.
Michelle Ginder
Years in Education: 9 years
Grade/Subject Level: 6th grade math
In their words:
My goal as a classroom teacher is to teach the whole child. By this, I mean that I strive to not only teach students the required state standards for math but also life skills, such as respectfulness and collegiality with classmates, that will help students become productive members of society one day. Additionally, I believe that while all students have the ability to learn, they do so at different paces. It is important to differentiate instruction to meet the various needs within my classroom. This philosophy is what drives my classroom management and instruction.
Karina Mikelson
Years in Education: 8 years
Grade/Subject Level: 5th grade ELA
In their words:
My philosophy on education is each child deserves an equal opportunity to get the best instruction that can be provided for them. Through the years, I have learned by example of what makes great teachers. Looking back on my educational journey, I have had some phenomenal role models within the teaching community. I'd like to think that one day, some of my former students will look back on their year spent with me and say that I made a difference for them. Whether it be academically, socially, or personally, my students know that when they enter my classroom, they are important.
Joseph Monaghan
Years in Education: 10 years
Grade/Subject Level: English 4, English 4 Honors, and AP Literature & Composition
In their words:
I get to hang out with young bright minds and talk about books and poems all day long. I love the kids (our future), and I love English! Every day I come to school eagerly, joyfully; I love my job! I love books, stories, poems, paragraphs, stanzas, sentences, lines phrases, clauses, feet, words, syllables, letters and yes, even punctuation! I think it's a miracle that ink on paper can evoke such emotions and transport us to different places and times. Literature can teach us truth, beauty, and love! Honestly, I've always been a voracious reader and a secret writer.
You asked about my philosophy of education. I suppose I can sum it up in a quote I read years ago, "Doubt their knowledge, not their intelligence."
Geraldine Janzen
Years in Education: 3 years
Grade/Subject Level: 7th-grade Civics, 7th/8th AVID
In their words:
My teaching philosophy starts first, by building a relationship with students and parents. The relationship encompasses the meeting, understanding, motivating, and guiding of each student individually. Learning naturally occurs when a structured yet positive environment is fostered in a school system, and especially in a classroom. With that said, it is extremely important to remember; it takes a village to rear a child, parents and teachers must work together. Fernandina Beach Middle School has a tremendous support network filled with highly effective teachers willing to provide guidance at a moment’s notice. I do not believe you can make teaching exclusively a profession and be successful role model / mentor in a child’s life. In order to be successful, you must find enjoyment in working with students while trusting you can make a difference. Although teaching the Florida standards is a requirement, I strive to make Civics relevant to the everyday life of a middle schooler. The incorporation of newspaper articles, student news, and healthy controversial debates all amalgamate to create a lively yet applicable learning experience.
Jacquelin Sims
Years in Education: 7
Grade / Subject Level: 4th grade/ Math & Science
In their words:
For as long as I can remember I’ll I have ever wanted to be is a teacher. My true passion is teaching students to love learning while providing them the most engaging, standards-based lesson. It is my desire to create an atmosphere where all children are truly enjoying school while learning what is expected of them. In my classroom I try to make math and science as fun, and real life as possible. I am honored to be chosen to represent Hilliard Elementary as Teacher of the Year.
Angela Jarrett
Years in Education: 4 years
Grade / Subject Level: 6th, 8th, 9th grades ELA
In their words:
I teach because I believe there is nothing better than being that positive influence in the life of a child. I love that my kids come to my classroom knowing they are safe and loved and that even if no one else will, I will always be in their corner fighting for them. Having moments of enlightenment, encouraging free thinking, and ALWAYS participating in a great discussion about our “latest” favorite book is all just icing on the cake. It’s the place where I feel like I can truly make a difference.
Paige Subjinski
Years in Education: 5 years
Grade / Subject Level: 1st grade
In their words:
I have been teaching in education for five years. I taught kindergarten for my first year and first grade since then. I graduated from the Florida State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education and with two minors in Psychology and Family and Child Sciences. My philosophy on teaching all starts with my mother who has been teaching for nearly 30 years. Watching her nurture, care, and mold young minds has inspired me to be the teacher and person that I am today and to do my best to give back to our community. Every day I strive to create a positive, safe, creative, and academic environment for my students and parents. Every one deserves to have a chance to be their best self and I hope I can always provide a window of opportunity for that to happen when students come into my classroom.
Jami Whitehead
Years in Education: 17 years
Grade / Subject Level: Algebra 1A & Algebra 1B
In their words:
I sincerely believe that students will “rise to the occasion” when given the right tools and support that meets their individual needs. My role as an educator is to inspire and encourage students to value their own learning, understand their learning styles, and be able to utilize various learning strategies to close personal achievement gaps. Although the pedagogy used during the previous 17 years of my career has changed due to evolving educational studies and fact-based data on multiple teaching and learning styles, my view of education remains the same - students will have measurable success when given the education they deserve.
Michelle Thompson
Years in Education: 11 years
Grade / Subject Level: 4th grade
In their words:
My philosophy of education is that every student is unique, so their education should be unique too. I believe in going above and beyond to make a lesson stick. I try to think outside of the box for every subject I teach. I frequently ask myself, “Would I want to be in your classroom today?” I feel if I can find a way to make something exciting and engaging, I’m going to do it for my students.
Jessica Watkins
Years in Education: 8 years
Grade / Subject Level: 4th grade
In their words:
Being able to build relationships with my students is one of the main reasons I teach. I enjoy seeing each student grow when I put the time and effort into knowing them, not just in an academic way, but a personal way as well. I believe that when students know they are loved and cared for they will willingly rise to any challenge set before them. I enjoy building these relationships with my students and watching them grow through their year with me and beyond.
Jonathan Goodwin
Years in Education: 3 years
Grade / Subject Level: 10th and 11th World/U.S. History
In their words:
My teaching philosophy centers around one profound goal in which I strongly believe: to inspire students to become lifelong learners and leaders. Everyday in my classroom I seek to spark curiosity in each student in order to foster a passion for learning as well as cultivate a spirit of leadership within each of them. I teach with the specific goal in mind to motivate students to broaden their scope of the world, to think uniquely and globally. I task my students with analytical and investigative dilemmas because it is vitally important for young learners to think, discover, and advocate for themselves. I believe that it is my everyday duty to not only instill knowledge, but also develop and refine critical thinking skills, ultimately preparing students for the twenty-first century.
Rachel Kennedy
Years in Education: 16 years
Grade / Subject Level: 6th grade Science and Geography
In their words:
As an educator, I believe that students learn best by being an active learner. They learn by doing things and collaborating with each other. I want my students to learn the information and retain it for many years to come and a hands on environment is the best way to achieve that. A classroom should be inviting and student-centered for them to learn, explore and discover new concepts. Lessons should be engaging and meaningful with a purpose.
Sarah Baldwin
Years in Education: 16 years
Grade / Subject Level: K-2nd Access Points ESE Varying Exceptionalities
In their words:
