I believe that students learn when they are engaged.  Reading, elaboration through lectures and the presentation of diverse visual media, and discussions of the material, in addition to projects that require putting it all together, give every type of learner different ways to grasp the information.  I do not believe that all students gain from the traditional testing process.  I believe that they learn better and have a greater sense of accomplishment through the completion of projects that consolidate large areas of the material being covered.

I also believe that it is crucial to promote other kinds of learning than that related to the course material.  Students should learn critical thinking through questions posed and discussed in class. The structure of projects should lead to improvement of social skills.  Projects that require classroom presentations can improve speaking skills and professionalism.  Those done by groups of students can teach them how to get the best work from each member and the art of teamwork.

I am very much a person who learns through lecture, debate, and hands-on activities.  I believe students can and will learn through differentiated instruction.  For this reason, I strive to provide opportunities that will include students with disabilities and diverse learners and utilize alternative methods of assessment.

I want my students to leave my classes more "awake" than when they came in.  I want them to question themselves and the world as a whole.  I want them to notice when propaganda attempts to manipulate them and perpetuate negative and debilitating stereotypes.  This does not mean that I want them to leave my classroom with a feeling that they should try to dismantle the world.  I want them to understand that we must participate in life in order to initiate changes and make it a better place for all people.

I also want them to understand the necessity for basic skills. Today's students must be able to understand how important it is to conduct themselves properly and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.  There is no getting around the necessity of this.  These basics coupled with a sound educational background will equip them with the skills that should assist them in getting off to a positive start in life.

I want them to have a sense of history.  They must make the connections between today and the past in order to develop a healthy knowledge of themselves and their ancestors; what people who came before them dealt with and what they may face in the future.

I am passionate about educating and preparing today's youth for tomorrow.  I believe that each content area has the potential to provide invaluable information and lessons that students can carry with them through life as they grow and mature.  I want my students to feel my enthusiasm and my commitment and to carry that forward in their own work.  I try to motivate my students by initiating lively yet relevant discussions.  As a result, they can begin to critically analyze information, opinions, and situations that they may encounter in life.  I make their thoughts and opinions a big part of the class, with special emphasis on having the students think about why they feel a specific way and clearly articulate their explanations.

My first teaching assignments were in The Newark Public Schools as a Substitute Teacher and then a Home Instructor.  I quickly realized that students faced and dealt with so many issues each and every day before they could begin to think about focusing on a lesson.  Many of them struggled to apply themselves to the lessons.  They also had very little knowledge of life's expectations.  I realized that I had to teach the basic life skills at the same time that I taught academics.  Initially, I was baffled by that group of students!  Since then, I have developed a much deeper understanding of students and their experiences outside of the school environment.

My goals are to continue to have empathy for all students and the difficulties many of them encounter in their lives and work to be educated as well as to continue to find new ways to connect with my students and get them interested in the more complex questions associated with life and education.