I would describe myself as a flexible, persistent, and organized teacher who is always focused upon developing a relationship with each student so they form a desire within themselves to become lifelong learners. Through positive student relations teachers can foster natural curiosities that students already have within them and encourage them to use this desire to delve into deeper wells of knowledge than they have been in before. I strongly believe that all students can learn and grow, they simply have to be encouraged in the right way to do so. This encouragement can come from a place of caring if the teacher is willing to keep trying until they find the right way to reach the student. Persistence is critical here. Because of my first belief, I also believe that teachers have to develop relationships of trust with students so students feel they are in a safe environment to fail, learn, grow, and develop. Examples of these beliefs are found in group instruction, when I try to make sure all students finish at the highest level of completion possible for them. I believe everyone can finish the work, but the quality will vary based upon ability. I don’t like allowing students to leave any piece of work unfinished, but at some point it must be recognized that the student has already given their all, and they need to be allowed to try again next time. The purpose of education is to foster curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning and growth. Character education is also a huge component as we encourage kindness and a community of understanding in our schools. Focusing on similarities rather than differences, and avoiding any bullying behaviors are really important parts of education in any classroom. Any incident that happens in the life of a student can be a chance to share a learning moment with the class, which will in turn breed a desire for reflection and growth based around real life situations. Along with this a calm, organized, but appropriately stimulating environment is important to help students be able to learn and grow within the classroom. Students learn best when they feel safe to fail and then try again, and this can be done better in a safe and positive learning environment where being wrong the first time is encouraged as a learning opportunity. Education is not a career for the faint of heart, it is a place for the strong, quick, and steady people who can bring these qualities into the classroom. Individuals who focus upon being the rock for the students of their classroom can provide stability, encourage curiosity, and foster growth and learning in the children who enter into their classroom environment. The relationship is a key to learning, especially for the students who struggle to exhibit the good behaviors we encourage within the school environment. Firm reproach for negative behavior, followed by an overflowing demonstration of care for the student and not the behavior encourages the positive type of relationships that should lead to students that are willing to fail and try again next time in the classroom.