Kelly Bentley,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
My friends and family often ask me, "Why do you teach? You work
so many long hours. You work on weekends. You don't get paid enough." It
makes me very sad to know that they cannot see and understand why someone
would want to be a teacher. My response to them is this, "Remember
my favorite movie, Forrest Gump? Let me explain it like Forrest,
`Momma always said, life is like a box of chocolates,
you never know what you're going to get.'" Each year, I am blessed with opening
up a new box of chocolates. The boxes are filled
with mystery and excitement. It is a chance to meet new students with
diverse backgrounds and personalities
that allow me to challenge myself in new ways, much
like the way Forrest Gump embraced challenges throughout his life.
With the start of each new year I am reminded of that box of chocolates. As I get to know the unique individual personalities of each little "piece of chocolate," I look forward to meeting each one of their needs. I have learned several key elements essential to making this happen.
Building respectful relationships with my students and their parents
is extremely important. I want them to know that I respect their opinions,
values and beliefs. I encourage frequent, open and honest communication.
These open lines of communication allow me to be aware of any personal
situations outside of the classroom that may affect my students' learning.
It also gives me the opportunity to share what is being taught in the
classroom therefore creating consistency between home and school. Making
a phone call in the evenings or weekends, trip to a game or recital,
is time well spent when I see the impact it makes on my students.
Throughout Forrest's life he was constantly growing, learning and
looking for new challenges much like we do as teachers
and students. Teaching requires constant learning.
As the profession is always changing,
Plano ISD does an outstanding job of providing us
with a variety and vast array of teaching materials
and workshops that help us grow as
teachers.
As I watched Forrest Gump encounter and learn from the many different people in his life, I find myself doing the same with my students, parents and colleagues. I am truly amazed by what I learn each day. I want my students to know that, yes, I am their teacher, but that does not mean that I know EVERYTHING. They are teachers too, just like me. We all have something special to learn from each other.
I feel a well-rounded education can only happen in an organized, structured
classroom with clearly defined expectations and rules.
It is important to include my students in this process,
so I have each first grade student
sign a "respect and responsibility" classroom promise. This
ensures that valuable teaching takes place in a safe,
comfortable and fun learning environment.
As the movie Forrest Gump came to a close, I realized how Forrest's experiences molded him into a life long learner. I want my students to take important lessons learned and connect them to their everyday lives, realizing that these lessons will lead them to a promising future. They may not know what their future holds, but continuing this educational journey will lead them there one day. As a former Plano student, I see how my academic and life connections allowed me to become the successful person I am today. It is imperative to provide my students vital tools to handle all the challenges they will find in their own boxes of chocolates.
Teaching has given me many rewards. It is a profession that continues to make me more aware and appreciative of the differences in our world. Teaching is a gift that I will always cherish. It leaves me in such awe to know that I am teaching a classroom of future teachers, doctors, soldiers and maybe even a president! What a pleasure to know that next year, I will receive a new assorted box of chocolates; a new and exciting journey will begin again.
Educational
/ Professional Background
Educational Degrees
- University of Texas at Dallas - Bachelor of Arts,
Psychology - December 1997
- Southern Methodist University - Teacher Preparation
Program - Certified Elementary K-8
Teaching Experience
- July 2003 to present - First Grade Team Leader
- Hedgcoxe Elementary
- August 2006 to present - PASAR Academic Facilitator
Hedgcoxe Elementary
- July 1999 to present - First Grade Teacher Hedgcoxe
Elementary
- June 2006 - PEP Summer School Substitute Carpenter
Middle School
- June 2005 - PEP Summer School Teacher Skaggs
Elementary School
- June 2004 - Summer School Substitute Hendrick
Middle School
- June 1999 - PAL Summer School Teacher Hedgcoxe
Elementary
- Feb-May 1999 - First Grade permanent
substitute
School
Principal Recommendation
It is my pleasure to recommend
Kelly Bentley as Plano ISD's teacher of the year.
Miss Bentley's primary
role on our campus is that of a first grade teacher
and team leader. Her love of students is abundantly
clear. Whether you walk into her classroom, see
her interacting around school or at the children's
evening
events, her passion for students and the educational
process are easily recognized as an integral part
of who she is. Her strong commitment and diligent
efforts in planning and organization are clearly
recognizable upon visiting her classroom.
Walking into Miss Bentley's classroom is a new and
exciting experience every day. She is a believer
in child-centered learning and uses creative strategies
to engage her students and encourage active participation
in learning activities. Miss Bentley establishes
routines and maintains structure while the children
have fun and maintain a solid foundation for life-long
learning.
In addition to being loved by students, Miss Bentley is well liked and respected by the parents in our school community. She is available to them as needed and promptly responds to their phone calls, emails or "drop-in" visits. In addition to these qualities, we are proud to have her on our staff as an important link to our past, as she is a member of the Hedgcoxe family, the namesake of our school.
Sincerely,
Kristi Graham
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