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2008 Teacher of the Year - Region V

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Region V: Juvenile Justice Teacher of the Year Winner

Teresa Valcarcel

Bay Point Schools - Kendall, Miami-Dade County

Valcarcel

Teaching Philosophy Statement

The teaching philosophy I've most come to embrace is a pragmatic, student-centered attitude toward education. At Bay Point Schools, “Education is Paramount." The students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own education. My goal as an educator is to get the students to progress from being a passive learner to an active one.

Bay Point Schools is “dedicated to building a safer community through positive peer pressure and education, one youth at a time.” I do take the time to assess each students’ individual needs. Not only does it make my job easier and more productive, but it makes the students feel important, and I can begin to raise his self-esteem and self-worth.

In the classroom, it is my goal to turn non-readers into readers. I encourage students to read, read, read! I expose the students to a wide variety of reading material. I begin class with a discussion about a book I’ve read. The students follow up by talking about a book that they liked or maybe didn’t like. I also read aloud daily. The students read and reflect upon their reading daily and keep logs.

We read together as a class, and sometimes the students read in small groups. We make story maps, story boards, author studies, and PowerPoint presentations. We watch movies about the books that we read, we write about the books that we’ve read, and we listen to audio books. And, of course, it goes without saying that if there is nothing in my classroom library that suits a student's interest, I will happily find something that does.

Over the years, I have been able to enhance my classroom library with an abundance of books that the students enjoy reading. Overall, students who were once reluctant readers are now excited about reading. By being active learners, they are now building their skills in the five areas of reading.

My students are often several levels behind their grade placements. I strive to help each student graduate from high school, and I encourage students to prepare for the GED exam on a daily basis. I help students would like to qualify for the GED Exit Option pass the GED exam and the FCAT. Many students are also able to graduate from high school and maybe even apply to college. Last year our school implemented the Plato credit recovery that has helped students recover credits for courses they were previously unable to complete. This program allows them to earn additional credits and to "catching up” in school. Last year, I witnessed more students graduate and enroll in college or trade schools than ever before. I am proud of their accomplishments and so proud to have been a part of their lives.

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