Delores
Harlan
Nichols Elementary
Third Grade 5 years
Total Years of Experience 5 years
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION
Northeastern State University Jan. 2002 to May 2004 Bachelor’s Degree
EMPLOYMENT RECORD OF SERVICE
Miami Public Schools – Nichols Third Grade Aug. 2004 to current
1. What are your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching? Describe how they are demonstrated in your personal teaching style?
Teaching is like being the leading role in a play! We are armed with a script that delivers its share of drama, joy, humor, love, and mystery. It begins with a colorful cast of student characters, many veiled in masks. We need to find a way to take off those masks, and remove barriers. It is vital to build an atmosphere of trust and respect in our classrooms, and to take our role seriously in the academic, moral, and personal lives of our students. This is our one opportunity, our one year, to create “rising stars” out of th children – to build them up and challenge them using quality teachin experiences, high expectations, life principles, discipline, structure, and love. Our leading role requires a great deal of patience, and it is important to show teamwork and flexibility in our many challenges. Be open to find new ways if current teaching methods are not successfully meeting the needs of students. We must positively accept constructive criticism, meet critical time restraints, and teach with passion.
2. What do you consider to be a major public education issue today and how would you like to see it resolved?
Families are frequently unable to sit together and discuss morals, ethics, and general information about the day. Struggling economic conditions in this fast paced society that we live in has caused many hardships at home. These factors can cause families to lose sight of priorities, and therefore many children suffer a lack of parental involvement and ethics taught at home. We need a higher percentage of parents to become more highly involved in their children’ lives, and model to their children the life principles of accountability and ownership of choices. The school system could induct a school mandated “orientation class” twice a year for parents, once at beginning of the first semester, and a review class at the beginning of the second semester, to inform parents of school practices, curriculum, expectations, etc. Parents would be required to maintain this orientation level of involvement through all levels of school in that district. In an effort to prevent additional teacher work requirements, these orientation classes could be provided to parents on professional learning days.
Nichols Elementary
Third Grade 5 years
Total Years of Experience 5 years
EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION
Northeastern State University Jan. 2002 to May 2004 Bachelor’s Degree
EMPLOYMENT RECORD OF SERVICE
Miami Public Schools – Nichols Third Grade Aug. 2004 to current
1. What are your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching? Describe how they are demonstrated in your personal teaching style?
Teaching is like being the leading role in a play! We are armed with a script that delivers its share of drama, joy, humor, love, and mystery. It begins with a colorful cast of student characters, many veiled in masks. We need to find a way to take off those masks, and remove barriers. It is vital to build an atmosphere of trust and respect in our classrooms, and to take our role seriously in the academic, moral, and personal lives of our students. This is our one opportunity, our one year, to create “rising stars” out of th children – to build them up and challenge them using quality teachin experiences, high expectations, life principles, discipline, structure, and love. Our leading role requires a great deal of patience, and it is important to show teamwork and flexibility in our many challenges. Be open to find new ways if current teaching methods are not successfully meeting the needs of students. We must positively accept constructive criticism, meet critical time restraints, and teach with passion.
2. What do you consider to be a major public education issue today and how would you like to see it resolved?
Families are frequently unable to sit together and discuss morals, ethics, and general information about the day. Struggling economic conditions in this fast paced society that we live in has caused many hardships at home. These factors can cause families to lose sight of priorities, and therefore many children suffer a lack of parental involvement and ethics taught at home. We need a higher percentage of parents to become more highly involved in their children’ lives, and model to their children the life principles of accountability and ownership of choices. The school system could induct a school mandated “orientation class” twice a year for parents, once at beginning of the first semester, and a review class at the beginning of the second semester, to inform parents of school practices, curriculum, expectations, etc. Parents would be required to maintain this orientation level of involvement through all levels of school in that district. In an effort to prevent additional teacher work requirements, these orientation classes could be provided to parents on professional learning days.
3. Identify a program initiative
to increase student learning that you have participated and
explain why you think it has been successful.
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is an eminent, district-wide program that I have been involved in this past year, and it has been a successful, effective program. Teachers gather together in a cooperative effort to share ideas and gain knowledge as to how to meet the needs of students. It is a means of reflecting on the district school goals, such as “The Five That Drive,” and the overall goals of the sch site. Many PLC groups in our district also recite “promises” at beginning of PLC meetings to reflect upon a commitment to obtain and maintain an effective learning environment. PLC meetings give teachers a “voice” regarding student success in the classroom. provides teachers with opportunities to exchange and collaborate ideas and input as to building and curriculum practices. PLC also gives teachers the opportunity to introduce innovative ideas to administration.
Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is an eminent, district-wide program that I have been involved in this past year, and it has been a successful, effective program. Teachers gather together in a cooperative effort to share ideas and gain knowledge as to how to meet the needs of students. It is a means of reflecting on the district school goals, such as “The Five That Drive,” and the overall goals of the sch site. Many PLC groups in our district also recite “promises” at beginning of PLC meetings to reflect upon a commitment to obtain and maintain an effective learning environment. PLC meetings give teachers a “voice” regarding student success in the classroom. provides teachers with opportunities to exchange and collaborate ideas and input as to building and curriculum practices. PLC also gives teachers the opportunity to introduce innovative ideas to administration.
