HEATHER M.

STRAIT
 405A Kalama St.
Kailua, HI 96734
 (808) 679-6291
@ kailuaisland@yahoo.com

Philosophy of Teaching

In reflecting upon my teaching career over the years, I repeatedly conclude that all students can
learn and achieve at high levels. Each student has strengths, weaknesses, and interests that may
make certain courses or lessons more, or less, difficult for him/her. Although some students
might struggle in many areas, my goal is to allow every student to shine and excel at least once
during each quarter. The goal of a Christian education is to cultivate minds and produce
knowledgeable students who honor God and desire to make positive contributions to society.

I have been teaching since high school, and my students have been as young as three years old,
and as old as 80. With each passing year, I believe more strongly that my expertise as a teacher,
and a rigorous curriculum are important, but that they are still secondary to creating a positive
and safe learning environment, in which my students and I share a personal connection. Brain
research demonstrates that anxiety and fear are major obstacles to learning; if students are
stressed out, their attention and short-term memory are negatively affected.

It is my priority to establish a personal rapport with each of my students and uphold them to a
standard of mutual respect. Once a positive rapport is established, discipline issues will be
minimized. However, a fair and consistent discipline system, with fair and logical consequences,
in line with the school’s discipline philosophy, must be established and enforced. On the first day
of school, it is important to involve students with creating a set of classroom rules. Involving
students in the creation of the rules increases the degree of student endorsement. Strong routines
minimize confusion and maximize learning time. I always take the first month (or more) to
establish the routines and reinforce the classroom rules, which allows the rest of the year to run
smoothly.

The curriculum must be rigorous and engaging, but also fun and varied. If my students are
absent, I want them to feel as if they missed something important. I don’t ever want students to
think that my class is a waste of time. My passion for the course content is always evident. I
know that students feed off my energy, whether it is negative or positive, luster or lacking. I want
to inspire my students and pique their curiosity, so that they go out and perform their own
personal inquiries outside of class time.

In summary, I am committed to creating a rigorous, vibrant, and meaningful learning experience

for students.