April 2003 - Last Word
A Philosophy of Education

Before you read my philosophy of education, there are a few things that must be presupposed. This is a philosophy regarding public education; the masses - all comers, no matter who they are. It is based upon the notion that all children can learn at levels that will help them experience happy and fulfilled lives, and that they deserve the best education we can give them. Public education should be the great equalizer. Despite other aspects of children's lives that may impact them negatively, their education should offer the opportunity for a better life. This is one way of looking at education, not the way. There is no such thing. Physicians live by the credo, "First, do no harm." My philosophy, briefly, is, "Do what is best for children."

Students: I am convinced that parents send the very best children they have to school; they don't keep the "good ones" locked up at home. It is our job as educators to create an environment that is safe and conducive to learning for all children. In many instances, this means first addressing physical, social, and emotional needs. If purchasing uniforms is a problem, we give them away. If a child needs glasses, a bed to sleep in, whatever, we find a way to get what he or she needs. Some children who come to us have clearly not been placed upon a path to success by whomever is responsible for them at home. It is our job to help them see that the road to success has a number of on-ramps. Teachers: Teachers are professionally trained educators who deserve to be treated as such. They entered the profession because they love children and for the satisfaction they derive from contributing to children's growth. The best teachers know the content they are to teach, they know their students, and they know how best to teach them. They should be creative, and rather than cover the curriculum, they should uncover it. As enthusiastic as they are empathetic, our teachers should serve as good role models to their students and parents. They should be able to teach children through a variety of methods, including those which address children's special needs such as learning English as a second language. I make it a habit to surround our children with the best teachers and support staff available.

Responsibilities: Before anything else, it is my responsibility to establish and maintain a positive educational environment for students and teachers. Schools, especially elementary schools, should be
the last, best, purest, safest, most "about business" places on the planet. With that in mind, I believe it is my responsibility to remove all "construction cones" from the teaching-learning environment, have a clear vision of what needs to be done, and do it. To that end, I fiercely protect time (it is one of our most precious school resources) and promote appropriate behavior, because inappropriate student behavior wastes time and unsettles good school climate. Teachers need to be allowed to teach. When behavior is inappropriate, we handle it as systematically as possible. I enforce the rules even when a parent's
convenience is at stake. I encourage children to do their best. I inspire teachers to have something planned each day to which every child can look forward. All decisions are made through the matrix of that which adds value to what we do; that which detracts is eliminated. It is also my responsibility to demonstrate passion for our work.

Parents: Most folks would agree that expectations for student, teacher, and administrator achievement need to be set at a very high level. What we often forget is that the school and the child deserve that same level of commitment from parents. This begins with the
notion that when the child enters the school he or she is ready to learn. Further, it is reasonable to expect that the parents will respect and enforce the behavioral expectations of the school, that they will actively participate with the child in school programs, and that they will respect the professional training, experience, and dedication of the teachers. Community: If a community truly cares for its children, it supports its schools. Our challenges are not insurmountable, but they are complex.
We need everyone's help to meet all the needs that walk through our doors. Care to play? We'd love to have you.

Kathleen Corley