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Eileen
Quinn,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
 Rice
Middle School
Seventh Grade Science, Honors/PACE
Philosophy
of Teaching
Educational/Professional
Background
School
Principal Comments
Philosophy of Teaching
The foundation of my philosophy of teaching is the belief that I
am here for my students. Each student is an individual
worthy of respect and kindness. I am committed to providing an outstanding
education
for each of them.
As a teacher, my best lessons are
filled with enthusiasm, variety, and the opportunity
to build confidence in my students. Education
breeds power and confidence. In order to facilitate
this process a combination of factors must occur
including the proper learning environment,
knowledge of the student and a continued growth of
the teacher.
The classroom environment provides the
foundation for future success. Security for all students
is paramount and once
this is achieved students experience success.
I want to provide my students with the skills to succeed and yet feel secure
enough to experience some failure. This environment enables students to enhance
their scientific knowledge and improve a variety of life skills including: methods
of organization, models for success, working cooperatively, problem solving skills,
the necessity to be kind, and other life long skills. As a science teacher, I
incorporate all of these skills in daily lessons. My excitement and enthusiasm
for science allows my students to synthesize information in an environment that
allows them to develop confidence needed to substantiate their opinions.
The
environment of the teacher influences that of the
student. My administration recognizes the advantage
of developing lessons and activities directed toward
students. A solid foundation provided by the building administration and networking
with fellow teachers who share the same goals establishes success for the school.
I
believe in every student and that he/she has the
ability to succeed. For this to occur, the teacher
must be familiar with the whole student.
This includes
knowledge of their educational requirements as well factors that influence their
lives outside school. My job does not end with the last bell. Attending events
from volleyball games to plays allows me to develop a more personal relationship
with my students. Encouraging quality work from students is a cooperative effort
between the teacher, student and parent.
This team effort continues with coordinating
lessons and activities with academic teachers.
Each student, regardless of classification, provides ideas about the world
and science. Their ideas and learning styles motivate me to try new teaching
techniques,
methods of presenting information, and organizational strategies. Success builds
on prior success so I utilize questioning and teaching techniques that ensure
the confidence in each student. One of the best aspects of teaching is the
continuous metamorphosis of my classroom in order to adjust to my students’ needs.
As
an educator, I continually ask myself how to improve. Thoughts of the best
methods of relaying knowledge to my students and determining if there are
other skills I can teach them constantly run through
my mind. I strive to be fluent
in my content area and develop new skills by attending workshops, networking
with teachers, and staying current with science research. A lab about transpiration
becomes a lesson in cooperation, measuring techniques, note taking and tolerance.
Discussions about plant genetics lend themselves to organizational skills,
biological ethics, and diversity in the classroom. As a teacher, my goal
is to develop students
who are successful, confident, active learners who will lead us into the
future.
Teachers must be positive role models for
their students by portraying a healthy lifestyle,
positive attitude, thirst for knowledge, and a compassionate
leadership
style. I provide my students with an exciting experience each day they
enter my classroom and share my enthusiasm for science and love for
education in
an effort to teach them skills that they will use far beyond middle school.
Educational
/ Professional Background
Employment
- August 2000 – present
7th grade science, Pre AP/Honors Science, Academic
Team Leader
Rice Middle School, Carol Johnson, Principal
Major Accomplishments
· Lead Science teacher, 7th grade
· Develop Advisory program, Gratitude Journal
·
Mentor for beginning teachers – 5 years
· Science Fair coordinator
· Toyota Dallas Morning News Regional Science Fair- Recommendation of
the Awards
Committee
·
Textbook Adoption Committee – 2003
· Teacher study with Wisconsin Fast Plants and NASA - 2003
·
Supervising teacher for student teacher – 2005
· Coordinate field trips and assignments to Dallas World Aquarium and
JFK Museum
for 7th grade
·
Teacher of the Year 2004 – 2005
· Excellence in Teaching for PISD 2005
·
Teacher expedition to Amazon Rainforest with Global Explorers and Jane Goodall’s
Roots and Shoots 2005
- August 1999 – 2000
Environmental Systems teacher and Team Leader
Plano Sr. High, Dr. Doyle Dean, Principal
Major Accomplishments
· Team leader
·
Faculty Advisor – Environmental Club
· Co-author of midterm and final exam
·
Presented content of “Bright Minds, Poor Grades” to PSHS
faculty
- August 1990 – June 19999
7th grade Science, Pre AP/Honors Science
Renner Middle School, Mike Collinsworth, Principal
Major Accomplishments
· Renner Teacher of the Year: 1995-1996
·
Member of the Middle School Curriculum Council – 2 years
· Co-author curriculum for Science I and TEKS
· Co-author midterms and final exams
· Co-author advanced placement exam
· Member of Plano Middle School Advisory Council with Mike Collinsworth
· Blue Ribbon writing committee
· Member of the Pilot Program for Teacher Gradebook
· Seventh grade Science Team Leader 1996-1998
·
Faculty Advisor – National Junior Honor Society 1996-1999
·
Mentor for beginning teachers at Renner – 3 years
·
Supervising teacher for student teacher – 1997
·
Presented content of “Bright Minds, Poor Grades” to Renner faculty
- January 1984 – June 1990
Sixth Grade Science
Bowman Middle School, Joe Chesney, Principal
Major Accomplishments
· Counselor at Camp Goddard
· Co-author for Invent America
· Presented workshop at STAT conference in Galveston
Education
- University of Michigan
August, 1982 – Bachelor of Science
Major – Environmental Science
Minor – Biology
December, 1983 – Secondary Teaching Certification
- University of Texas – Dallas
August, 1992 – Master of Arts in Teaching
in Science Education
Professional Affiliations
- National Science Teacher’s
Association
- Science Teachers Association of Texas – STAT
- National
Middle School Association
- Association of Texas Professional
Educators – ATPE
- Delta Kappa Gamma – Mu
Beta Chapter
Inducted – 1992
Parliamentarian – 1996 – 1998
Treasurer – 1998 - 2000
Volunteer opportunities
- TITAS
- Dallas Arboretum
- Central Market Cooking Classes
School
Principal's Recommendation
It is my honor to nominate Eileen Quinn for Plano
Teacher of the Year. Ms. Quinn is a science teacher
and a seventh grade team leader at Rice Middle School...
Ms. Quinn is a 21-year veteran of the PISD. Her dedication,
knowledge and commitment to our district exemplify
what we believe a Plano teacher should be!
She leads her team of teachers to be the best they
can be. Her knowledge of curriculum is to be admired.
She continues to learn, grow and adapt to new ideas
and information that is expected of her.
Her ability to relate to students is phenomenal.
She knows her students and strives to help each one
meet their potential. She is wise and caring in all
her interactions with staff, students and parents.
Ms. Quinn is prompt, flexible, and above all dedicated
to providing a positive environment for all her students.
She is one of my heroes! Last year Ms. Quinn fought
the battle of her life in an effort to eradicate
breast cancer. She never missed a beat at school.
She was undergoing major treatment and yet she still
she showed up to teach her students because she knew
they needed her. She never complained or wanted special
treatment from the staff or her students. This commitment
and courage showed students and staff the importance
of perseverance no matter what the circumstances.
We all learned what the word teacher really means
because of her.
Ms. Quinn is an asset to this school district and
to Rice Middle School. Her knowledge and expertise
are treasured here. Students are challenged and prepared
for science, and life, because of her efforts. Her
honesty and integrity are above reproach. She believes
in her students and because of this they believe
they can achieve anything.
If I had three wishes, one would be to have a building
full of teachers the caliber of Eileen Quinn.
It is with no hesitation and with great joy that
I recommend Eileen Quinn for this prestigious honor.
She would be an outstanding representative for Plano’s
Teacher of the Year.
Sincerely,
Carol Johnson
Principal
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