Tempe Elementary Schools

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Tempe Elementary School District students recently achieved the highest percent of student proficiency in all tested subjects (math, reading, writing) since they began taking the AIMS Dual Purpose Assessment in 2005. This is the sixth in a series of stories to highlight a group of Tempe Elementary teachers whose students consistently show high levels of achievement. Andria Sharp, fourth-grade teacher at Hudson Elementary, shares her thoughts and philosophy about teaching, provides insight to her best instructional strategies, and simply tells us what learning looks like in her classroom. 1. What is your philosophy of teaching and learning that you bring to the classroom each day? I believe the most crucial goal as a teacher is to provide a safe and caring environment where students can learn in an unbiased classroom where all ideas are welcome. Teachers should build a foundation for educational success for each child who enters the classroom. I believe this can be accomplished by creating a motivational atmosphere where children desire to learn new things and should be given the tools necessary to discover their new knowledge. Students should be inspired to learn and the learning process should be an adventure. It is important from the first day of class to develop and create trusting relationships with all students. As a teacher, it is imperative to realize that all students have unique needs and abilities. Every child in the class should believe that they have something that they can contribute to the group. Teachers must always exhibit patience and never tell a student they are wrong but rather ask questions to help lead them to the correct answer. It is my belief that teachers should focus on teaching students basic essential knowledge and skills: reading, writing, and mathematics. These are the core foundations that students need in order to expand their knowledge. It is important to teach quality information in the classroom and help the students develop firm grasps of the subjects rather than to just teach large quantities of information. 2. What are the three most effective instructional strategies you use to maximize learning with your students and why are they so effective? Every child who enters the classroom learns in a different way. As an educator, it is essential to incorporate different styles of teaching to accommodate the different learning styles of students. At the beginning of the year, I evaluate my students using a variety of assessments. Throughout the year I continue to monitor and assess to insure that teaching practices are being effective. I use this knowledge to create flexible and intervention groups to provide the individual support that each student needs. Another instruction strategy I use is technology. I use PowerPoint and other multimedia in all content areas I teach. Using technology helps keep the pace of the lesson moving smoothly. I have also found that students show more engagement when technology is used. Having increased engagement means students are spending more time on task and learning is more effective. Most instruction is presented in the “I Do”, “We Do”, “You Do” format. First I “show” the students how to do the problem. Then we “do” problems all together as a group where students have opportunities to work with others and have dialogue about the task. Finally, students complete the tasks independently or in a small group. 3. If we came to visit your classroom today, what we would see? Describe for us what learning looks like in your classroom. Students in my class are engaged in a multitude of activities all throughout the day. I work closely with my grade level team and instructional coaches so that we can all provide input on the activities that will best address our students’ needs. Writing is incorporated across all content areas. Students are expected to answer all questions with a complete sentence, regardless of the complexity of the question. From the very beginning of the year I establish very clear expectations about behavior and learning. Students in my class are eager to learn and are motivated. They follow procedures and rules, and because of this, we have minimal disruptions, which leads to more time on task, and more time for learning. Students work respectfully together and have multiple opportunities for dialogue throughout the day. I am very enthusiastic with my teaching style, and I try to make the learning fun and exciting for my students.

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