ABOUT Emily

Teaching is more than just a career choice for me; it's a journey of discovery, resilience, and growth. I believe that every child is a learner, and as a teacher, my role is to help them find their potential and ignite a love for learning. Failure, as Nelson Mandela so wisely put it, is not the end but the beginning of the journey.

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My own journey through elementary school was marked by hardships that impacted my academic journey. In first grade, grappling with the challenges of death and divorce, I felt separated from my peers. Middle school brought a fresh start, surrounded by a diverse group of kids. The high expectations set for me motivated me to work for my grades, and for the first time, I found confidence and joy in the learning process. My experiences in high school taught me the value of independent thinking and challenged me to find answers on my own. Fostering and practicing my work with productive struggle was difficult at first, but those experiences became the foundation for my passion for education.

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I firmly believe in setting high expectations for students but understand the importance of providing support to reach those standards. When students are met with clear expectations, they can produce work that meets academic standards and fosters growth and growth-mindset. Learning is a two-way street; students should have expectations for their education and hold their teachers to those standards. I envision a classroom where deeper learning happens through collaboration, guided by both the teacher and students. Creating a strong classroom culture is crucial, and I plan to co-create class norms with my students to foster a safe and brave space for learning.

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Socrates once said, "I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think." While I don't entirely agree, I believe in nurturing critical thinking skills. Science is best learned and taught when there's a passion or interest for the topic, stemming from both the teacher and the student. Creating a strong classroom culture lays the groundwork for complex and creative thinking. And trust in the community encourages students to be more creative and willing to share their ideas.

I resonate with the idea that "Children learn more from who you are than what you teach." Setting up a classroom culture that celebrates individuality personally and academically is crucial. Assessments should go beyond standard quizzes and tests; understanding the journey to gaining knowledge is equally important. I plan to incorporate productive struggle, challenging students to connect topics to their lives and formulating research-based opinions.

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Choice and voice are paramount in my classroom. Everyone, including myself, is a learner. I believe in the power of student choice, allowing them to decide the pathway of their education and incorporating their special interests. Deeper learning happens when students make connections with the information and skills they are acquiring. Every student can learn, and my role is to help them discover how they learn best, incorporating their interests and strengths into projects and classwork.

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Creating a classroom where students feel comfortable and represented physically, emotionally, and culturally is vital. As an antiracist and liberatory educator, I'm committed to acknowledging biases and teaching the often-overlooked parts of history, science, and literature. Complex discussions about ethics in science, connected to race, culture, and politics, will be a regular part of my high school science class.

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Being excited about the content and being present in the classroom is a commitment I make to my students. High school students need more than just lessons; they need love, encouragement, and hope. Nicholas Ferroni's words resonate with me: "Students who are loved at home come to school to learn, and students who aren't come to school to be loved." My passion for science brought me into teaching, but what I love about teaching is the connection with my students, being their advisor, mentor, supporter, and someone they can turn to for help.

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Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about guiding students through a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and growth. It's about creating a space where every child can thrive, learn, and ultimately become the best version of themselves.