By ALYSSA MARTINEZ, staff reporter
How do you feel now that you’ve made it to this point in your teaching career?
The National Teacher of the Year award certainly is a great validation of what I have been doing the last 12 years. But it needs to be understood that I did not win this alone; success does not happen in isolation.
What and/or who do you feel got you here?
Isaac Newton is famous for saying “I stand on the shoulders of giants.” I feel exactly the same. I have the unique opportunity of working at the same school that I graduated from (Zillah High School, class of 1996), which means that I had the chance to learn from some outstanding teachers both as a student and now as a colleague.
What I learned and continue to learn from them is that creating positive relationships with students is far more important than the content you teach. If you develop those relationships with students, you are able to challenge them with levels of content that would have otherwise seemed unreachable.
What are some factors that drive and/or motivate you?
I firmly believe that there is nothing in our lives that we cannot accomplish. Unfortunately, not everyone shares this belief about themselves – that is why I teach.
I teach to ensure that students are able to realize that they have an unlimited potential, that they can accomplish any goal that they set their minds to.
Tell me about one/some of your favorite memories about CWU and being a student here.
I think the best part of being on campus was that I always felt at home. I was a campus tour guide and visitation coordinator. As such, I had the great opportunity to meet so many people who became friends the next year.
Of course the snow storms of the winter of 1996 (cancelled classes, cross country skiing around the campus), helping sand bag days later during the ensuing flood waters, campus-wide power outages turned massive outdoor gatherings at 11 p.m. at night…those were certainly some good times!
What advice would you give to this year’s graduating class from CWU?
First and foremost, choose your career and your area of expertise based on what you love: Those who are greatest at their profession – whether teacher, nurse, accountant, or musician – see their work as their calling. If teaching is calling you, do not hesitate!
To the teachers who are reading this, what do you do in the classroom that has made you so successful?
I welcome my students to class the same way every class period of every day. I say very simply, “Welcome back to another day in paradise.” It has become my mantra, and to my students it has become a bit legendary. Even students who have never taken my classes will ask me if today is another day in paradise when I walk down the halls.
Great teachers create a paradise not only within their own classroom, but also in their school and greater community.
To create my teaching paradise I follow six strategies:
Today is the most important day for every one of my students.
Great teachers do not allow failure.
Great teachers create a culture of high ambition and lead by example.
Great teachers help all students, not just the students in their classes.
Great teachers are part of the solution.
Great teachers help their peers become better.
How did you feel meeting President Obama?
It was very surreal! President Obama was extremely welcoming and did his best to make myself and my family feel very comfortable. I know it is odd to say about the President of the United States, but he really gave the impression of being a “regular guy.” I say that with great respect. It was so humbling to be treated so kindly by someone in his position.
