Faculty |
Junior High Teachers
Ms. Lisa LaMoy
Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: Teaching young minds is a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is full of challenges, frustrations, and responsibilities. However, it is a task that is also full of excitement, wonder, and joy. I strongly believe that all children are capable of learning, if they have the proper motivation and direction. As a teacher I need to be aware of learning, motivation, behavior, and development theories in order to relate to my students and push them to reach their full potential. It is my responsibility to see that all my students are being motivated. They deserve my time and full attention in regards to their education! I also strive to create a classroom that is safe for all. If students do not feel safe, whether it is emotionally, physically, or socially their defense systems will go up and learning will decrease if not shut down all together. Lastly, classroom organization is also a key concept to consider! I always look for new ways to set up the classroom that will help the students learn! Visit Ms. LaMoy's website Email Ms. LaMoy Mrs. Tiffany Kwiatkowski Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity to teach Social Studies at Queen of Heaven School. I work everyday to provide a safe, diverse, and engaging learning environment for my middle school students. I believe that it is important for my students to be able to connect World History and American History with their own lives. If students do not see Social Studies as relevant, the course content will be seen as meaningless. I also believe that it is critical that all Americans understand history in order to make informed decisions. An educated society will improve our country and will help to build strong communities. My goal for each of my students is to not only prepare them for high school, but also for their future after high school. Visit Mrs. Kwiatkowski's website Email Mrs. Kwiatkowski Mrs. Hilary Ungaro Philosophy and Educational Approach: I believe in each of my students and strive to help them be successful. I enjoy creating an active environment in the Spanish classroom that encourages students to utilize the language. I believe students learn best when they are involved actively in the class. The activities presented will include reading, writing, speaking and listening to the language. Visit Mrs. Ungaro's website Email Mrs. Ungaro Ms. JoAnn Martina Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: As a teacher of Religion, there are a couple of things I try to accomplish for my students; a positive atmosphere, access to a caring individual, and mutual respect. Students work hard to earn their grades. My task as a teacher is to facilitate their learning process. Students should become involved in Church Ministry, and service to others. We should together work toward building a Faith Community, and live the Gospel in our daily lives. Visit Ms. Martina's website Email Ms. Martina Mrs. Kris Whelan Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: I believe that a teacher should act as a guide to the amazing world in which we live and that the classroom should be a safe, judgement-free environment that will stimulate learning. All students can learn. They may learn in different ways and at different rates, but they can learn, nonetheless. In my classes, I promote an open, risk-free atmosphere so that the students are not afraid to ask questions or respond during discussions. I also believe that it is important to demonstrate the connections between subject areas. I bring in history, math, religion, geography, literature and art into my science classes and also expect students to adhere to standard writing rules in lab reports and written work. My goal is for students to embrace learning and become life-long learners no matter where their paths may take them. I also want students to learn how to ask the right questions. They should not be expected to have the exact same questions as others. In my inquiry based science class, the students will become familiar with experimental design. They will formulate research questions and will design experiments that will answer those questions. They will learn that sometimes, a hypothesis is “wrong” and that it’s ok if it is. They will learn problem solving skills that will help them think critically, no matter what subject they may be studying. Students will learn that REAL science is not done from cookbooks and that it is messy, time consuming and extremely rewarding. My students will DO science, not just learn about science. Visit Mrs. Whelan's website Email Mrs. Whelan Mrs. Kathryn Wagner Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: My teaching philosophy for general and exceptional education is that creating a stress free atmosphere in the classroom will help enhance learning. This promotes learning and enables children to feel like they can succeed in all subjects. I am a firm supporter in inquiry-based learning. It is clear that with exploring and discovery comes many questions. Questions are what makes our children curious and engaged. I encourage the use of questions with my students, with no intent to make them feel inferior. If a child feels like their input and curiosity matters, then they will feel comfortable and want to contribute to each lesson. It is equally important for the teacher to ask multiple comprehension questions so they know that it is time to move forward. Active discovery learning enables students to become independent. The classroom is one of the most influential places they visit, so it is crucial for the classroom to be welcoming and inspiring. Teachers should set reasonable guidelines: set reasonable standards for children, believe in all their students and never give up on any of them regardless of how long it takes; find a method that works! Educational approach: Teaching needs to relate to all learners, keeping in mind that everyone learns differently and at a different pace. I do not repeatedly utilize one instructional framework. In order to activate active listening multiple methods should be used: lectures, hands-on activities, use of manipulatives, and visual representations. It is necessary that all lesson plans are universally designed. This means that my lessons should guide the development of of all learners and accommodate each learners' differences. Visit Mrs. Wagner's website Email Mrs. Wagner Miss Zabrina Nedimyer Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: I believe all students should be given the ability to learn. I feel that as long as a student is improving their knowledge in the classroom then I am doing my job to improve their lives. With a classroom full of students and staff the environment should feel safe and supportive. As a professor once said to my class "I don't profess to know everything, but I teach to learn more." I feel that every teacher learns from their students as much as they learn from you. Through my opportunities in my undergraduate and graduate program I have gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to educate all students. Through my masters program I have learned more about differentiating my instruction for gifted and students with disabilities. I also have learned that you need to keep a routine in the classroom, but still keep things engaging. When students are not given material to fit their needs then they can become disengaged and stop wanting to learn. As a teacher I want to be able to collaborate with my colleagues and administrators. I want to be able to have the best information available to serve all students. Through my masters program I feel that this is possible. Additionally, I want to be able to reflect, take suggestions for change, and improve my knowledge to help my students. I will do this by completing professional development and being open to learn in multiple ways. As a teacher I want to be able to be a role model, as well as a support system to help all students with their struggles. In order to continue this I will work closely with others to find the right supports for all students. I believe to keep a safe environment for all students there should be an ability for open communication between all parents, students, and school staff. I feel that it is extremely important for parents to know what their children are learning and to be able to talk to their kids about school. I feel it is important for a teacher to know basic information about a child that could affect their ability to learn and is only done so by having communication by all those involved in the child's life. Overall, I believe in order for a child to learn there should be a safe environment, well educated professionals to help improve their knowledge base, and a support system for the student to continue learning in a positive manner. Visit Miss Nedimyer's website Email Miss Nedimyer Mrs Kara Boyd Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: I believe that no two children learn in exactly the same way or pace. I use multiple teaching strategies and techniques to engage each student. I strive to find ways that help to motivate and engage the all students during the lesson. I am always willing to take time to help them to discover what works best for them. I also believe that the classroom should be a setting for students to learn how to be responsible and respectful both inside and outside of school. I have the students work in pairs or groups to help them learn how to work with others. My hope is that they will grow academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually throughout the year. Visit Mrs. Boyd's website Email Mrs. Boyd Mrs Sally Manley Teaching Philosophy and Educational Approach: "When we teach our children moral and spiritual integrity, we give them foundations of strength and wisdom to face any issue that may come up in their lives." Sally Clarkson Visit Mrs. Manley's website Email Mrs. Manley |
