1. Mark Boatman
Teaching Philosophy
"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their
students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse,
encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis
I believe:
Students will leave my classroom with the tools they need to succeed throughout
their lives. Student success is the cornerstone of education. All students have the
ability to learn, and I will serve as a facilitator of learning. With equal opportunity
and access to learning, every student has the potential to do great things, and I want
to empower every child with the tools they need to be successful. I want to be that
kind of teacher, instilling high expectations and a sense of purpose in all of my
future students. I want to make a difference, I want to empower someone to learn
and think about something in a new light. A love of working with kids, seeing
students learn and develop, and the camaraderie from fellow teachers, are all quite
valuable to me. There is no better way to benefit society than to teach, and I can’t
wait for the opportunity to ensure success in the next generation of young students.
Promote critical thinking
o I want students to be able to formulate appropriate questions, and
seek out ideas or opinions they are not sure about.
o It is important to know when to lead the troop, and when to step back
and let the troop lead.
o Teach applications of problem solving across curriculum and life
experiences.
Tailored instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners with a range
of abilities
o Students have various cognitive abilities and learning processes, and
some may need more guidance than others (Gardner’s M.I.).
o One-on-one guidance, when appropriate will ensure that no student
gets left behind.
Positive learning environment
o Students should feel welcome to share their ideas and opinions with
the class without ridicule or retribution.
o Every student will be encouraged to participate fully in classroom
discussions and activities.
o Students should walk into my classroom and know that it is an
environment of high expectations.

2. o Emulate appropriate behaviors through modeling, in and out of
school.
Make learning relevant
o I will develop curriculum that applies to real-life situations, as this
will promote enthusiasm in learning.
o Teachers wear many hats, and students often need them to be more
than an instructor, but often times a counselor, a cheerleader, or a role
model; and often times the teacher becomes the student.
o Intriguing lessons make way for enthusiastic learners.
Ensure success
o Self-reflection is a vital component of effective teaching. I will make a
habit of analyzing if strategies and lessons are effective, and if not,
develop a better teaching strategy. It is important to know what
strategies worked and didn’t work to either replicate or replace them.
o I want to help develop lifelong learners, who are enthusiastic about
learning, pursuing life goals, and exemplary citizenship.