All up in the kool-aid, dont even know the flava

Philosophy of Education
Chalica Pack

Education is employing learned knowledge into daily life. Teachers are guides and not authoritarian figures. A strong classroom environment will help children foster their own natural curiosity. I believe that the two greatest issues of importance in a successful classroom are methods of teaching and enforcing respect for self and others.

Students will be treated as individuals. Employing creativity in my lesson delivery will cover the range of learning styles present in the classroom. Consistently using examples from past lessons will aid in building knowledge in a sequential pattern. Whenever possible, I will use a hands on approach to my lessons. Guiding children to become active learners will promote intrinsic motivation.

Respectful behavior is of the utmost importance in building a thriving society. Respect is born of the home and of the school environment. I will have a set of clearly defined rules in place at the beginning of the school year. Standing strong in enforcing these rules is necessary to gain and keep my students' respect. Disrespectful behavior must be dealt with immediately and accordingly with the pre-defined expectations of the classroom. If the maturity level allows, occasional class “meetings” will be held. This will allow students to share their feelings in an equalizing environment. When students have ownership in defining personal and classroom goals, they are motivated to hold themselves to a higher standard.

Education is the foundation from which great individuals are born. It is necessary to teach on an individualized level to each child in your class. Utilizing creativity will offer every child a way to retain information. Effective teaching methods promote good behavior. As educators, we are responsible for book knowledge as well as life skills knowledge. Respect is the greatest of life skills to be learned. My classroom will yield eager children, ready for the next step in their life educational experiences.

My battle with chalk

I think it started in Mr. Zakowski 7th grade math class. We often had to go up to the chalkboard to show our work on a math problem. To my memory, he was the only one with a chalkboard in his class, the other teachers having dry erase boards. I hate the feel of the chalk on my fingers. I hated the way it felt to breathe in the chalk dust. The chalkboard itself terrified me. I was so afraid that my fingers would touchthe chalkboard. Either getting more dust on me, or God forbid, scratching my fingernails on it. 

By the time I got to high school, I would just start out the school year telling the teachers that I would not be writing on the chalkboard. Not at all. 

We don't have chalk in our house.  I never bought one of those tiny black chalk boards for the kids to practice their first letters on. Waste lots of paper, much more suitable alternative. I'll re-gift chalk if it's given to us. No chalk art on my driveway. 

Today I took my youngest son to one of those loud and crazy bouncy house playground equipment places. One of my least favorite child related activities but I needed to see some of my friends. Off of the main play area is a narrow art room. Coloring, painting and.... giant chalkboards. 

I lasted long enough to take this horrifying picture.  

For you.