PHILOSOPHY OF FAMILIES
"Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter." -Brad Henry
Individuals and the Family
Each student that enters the classroom is equipped with unique skills, interests, passions, talents, and past experiences. I believe that every individual possesses incredible capabilities, they just sometimes have yet to be discovered. I believe students are strong, capable individuals, but that the support a family can provide is one of a student's greatest resources. Each of these independent, intelligent students deserves to be treated with respect, dignity, compassion, and care. I am here to listen, support, guide, and inspire each of the individuals that enter my classroom. I hope to instill a sense of curiosity and a passion for learning and discovery in each of these adolescents.
Families are a very important part of our family and consumer sciences classroom environment. They support learning and encourage students to pursue interests and hobbies. Families provide a solid foundation from which students can build their lives. I want to support the families I encounter in the classroom. This will look different for each family, but every family deserves respect, active listening, and trust. I am not only here for your student, but am here to help your family to the best of my abilities. I recognize that the student and family are closely intertwined, so by helping your family, I am also helping your student.
Signs of Healthy Families
It is my belief that healthy families enjoy spending time together. (This could be camping, bird watching, reading Calvin and Hobbes, painting murals, or even planting a garden!) These activities are unique to each family, but they provide a common experience for the family members to bond over.
In addition to the time families spend together, each member in a healthy family also has hobbies that he or she likes to do by him- or herself. All the while, the rest of the family supports the individual members on the personal hobbies.
In a healthy family, members encourage each other to think for themselves and to make their own decisions, as appropriate. The family supports the members for who they are as individuals. I believe that family members appreciate and show affection for each other.
I believe that families thrive and make their best decisions when they think about problems with clear minds. They also do their best when minds and emotions are calm, clear, and collected. Healthy families are able to communicate effectively with each other.
Many family characteristics are passed on from one generation to the next. Healthy families are aware of this and strive to pass on positive characteristics to their children.
Keeping in mind my beliefs about families and individuals, I want to do everything I can to support your student and your family. As an educator, I will do my best to provide your student with learning opportunities he or she can complete as individuals and then can share with your family. I want to support and strengthen your family bonds by selecting class content that connects to each family's interests. As a family, I hope you will support and encourage your student's learning through these projects over shared interests.