My teaching philosophy, and therefore my teaching practice, is centered around the individual student.  As a teacher, I strive to not only be a facilitator of learning and a purveyor of content information, but also an advocate for each of my students.  My students are learning to negotiate in the world around them; my sincerest wish for them is that they become successful negotiators without losing their individuality and that spark that shines so clearly now and makes them each unique.  In addition to supporting students as they go through this process, I also stand as their advocate, modeling for them and protecting them as they grow. 

     Many of my most significant experiences as a student involved global engagement; however, these experiences were largely limited to my high school and college education.  I believe that students, from a young age, should be introduced to the wider world outside of their community, state, and country in a meaningful and authentic way.  Especially as our world becomes more connected through technology, students with a respect for other cultures and a deep understanding of themselves as part of a global community will be more prepared to enter the adult world.  Further, as our world faces global issues including poverty, famine, depletion of natural resources, and destruction of the environment, we need active, global citizens; I believe teachers are in a position to encourage students to become global citizens.  As a teacher, my goal is to provide students with authentic experiences in becoming involves on a global scale and to encourage students to become dynamic international residents of our world.