Model Teachers

Content: 3rd Grade
School: Carver Elementary
Years Taught:15

What is the best way to describe your classroom on a typical day?
On a normal day in my classroom, the overhead lights are off, classroom lamps are on, and students are actively engaged in their learning. Students may be working independently, with a partner, or in a small group. They have autonomy to choose how and where they work based on what helps them learn best. You might find students working at the low-top, middle-top, or high-top tables, sitting at their desks, or lying on the carpet with a clipboard. The classroom may look different from one moment to the next, but learning is always happening.

What word best describes you as a teacher and why?
Intentional.

I would describe myself as an intentional teacher because every aspect of my classroom has a purpose. I intentionally create an environment where students have autonomy, feel respected, and have access to the tools they need to be successful. Whether students are choosing where to work, using manipulatives to solve a math problem, referencing an anchor chart, or asking a peer to “coach” them, these experiences are designed to build independence, confidence, and real-world positive character traits.

I am intentional about meeting students where they are while still holding high expectations for where they can go. I use scaffolds, visual supports, small-group instruction, and individualized tools to remove barriers without removing the learning. I also intentionally teach students how to advocate for themselves, collaborate respectfully, celebrate others, and use the resources around them.

I want my students to understand that it is okay to ask for help and there is nothing shameful about needing support. I want them to understand that getting a problem wrong does not make them a bad learner. Instead, it gives us an opportunity to find the “hiccup” in their thinking and learn the “cheat code” that will help them correct the misunderstanding. Mistakes become opportunities to learn rather than reasons to give up.

My goal is not simply for students to complete an assignment. I want them to understand how they learn, what they need, and how to find the tools that will help them succeed. I believe that when students feel trusted, supported, and empowered, they become more confident, resilient, and independent learners.