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Kristin Anderson,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
"Instead of emphasizing the value of performance, affirm the value of the
person. " The past five years, this statement has adorned my computer monitor, taped to the edge of the screen. To be honest, I cannot remember where I saw the statement and I have been unable to find the author. However, I make a point to read it, absorb it, and live it everyday in my classroom. This statement conveys my philosophy of teaching by emphasizing strong connection between academic performance and a student's selfimage. Although succinct, it evokes an abundance of meaning, reminding me of several truths about my role as a teacher.
First, as a teacher, I need to create an atmosphere in my class that builds a student's self-image. At the beginning of each semester, I use silly putty to demonstrate an important lesson. When silly putty is formed into a ball, it will bounce back. If the silly putty is dented and flattened, it looses that ability. I tell them that their self-image works the same way. Things may happen throughout the day that "dent" their self-image. This makes it more challenging to bounce back from difficult circumstances. We talk about the positive ways to build self-image and I put their ideas into practice.
Second, I must build a relationship with my students based on respect and trust. For my students to trust me, my words and actions must be consistent. Robert Browning said, "My business is not to remake myself, but to make the absolute best of what God gave me." I believe this statement. I never try to be someone that I am not. My actions in the classroom are consistent with my beliefs and the students know that when I say
something to them, I truly mean it. This is important, because if I am going to affirm my students, they must respect and trust me or the affirmation is hollow and meaningless.
Third, I have learned that no student wants to fail. It sounds simple, but this realization impacted me greatly. I have taught students at all academic levels, but for the past five years, I have been working with at-risk students. Many of the students struggle in multiple classes. Just looking at the grades it would be easy to assume that the student must "want to fail." However, there is always a reason students are not achieving academically. I make it my responsibility to determine that reason. I have found that many of our students are trying to endure situations outside of school that no one should have to endure. I have had students trying to be successful in school while dealing with custody battles, possible evictions, haunting memories, undiagnosed learning disabilities, inconsistencies in medications, and a whole host of other issues. These students are not failing because they want to; they just need someone to understand their circumstances.
Last, once a trusting relationship has been built with a student, after they truly feel affirmed and confident as a person, expect a change in performance. The change is sometimes immediate, more often it is gradual. Occasionally, the change is delayed. But, how sweet it is to hear a student say, "I remember what you said to me, and it has made an impact."
Recently I had a student stay after school to help me prepare for a presentation. I thanked her for her help. Her response was, "Your welcome Mrs. Anderson, but I would rather be at school than at home." It is students like these that need someone to affirm, someone to trust, and someone understand. As a teacher, I want to be that someone.
Educational
/ Professional Background
University Degrees
- BS and MS in Education - Baylor University
Certifications
- State of Texas - Secondary Biology, Gifted
and Talented
Teaching Experience
- 2002 to Present - At Risk Populations, Shepton
High School
- AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
Site Coordinator
- AVID Teacher
- MAPS (Methodologies of Academic and Personal
Success) Teacher
- CBOI (Campus Based Online Instruction) Instructor
- Ninth Grade Tansition Course Curriculum Writing
- Shepton Mentor Program Coordinator
- District Smaller Learning Communities Committee
- Shepton High School Spring Fling Coordinator
- School Based Improvement Committee
- 1994 to 2001 - Biology Teacher, Shepton High
School
- Biology 1B, Biology, Honors Biology
- Biology Team Leader
- Textbook Selection Committee
- Curriculum Writing Committee
- LASER Sponsor
- Cheerleading Sponsor
School
Principal Recommendation
As principal of Shepton High School, I am privileged and proud to recommend Kristin Anderson as a candidate for the PISD Experienced Teacher of the Year! Kristin teaches MAPS and AVID at Shepton and is also the mentor coordinator for our school.
Coming into Shepton as a new principal this past summer, it did not take me long to recognize that Kristin was a true leader in our school. Shepton has the honor of being one of the AVID site schools this year and our site team spent one week in Austin this summer preparing for this new course. AVID is a wonderful program that helps students in the academic middle be successful in more rigorous courses and provides the tools and resources for them to be succeed in college. Choosing the right coordinator for your school is extremely important to the success of the program and the students and Shepton definitely chose the right one! During our week in Austin it was obvious that Kristin has a passion and true love for helping students, especially those who need just a little more support, encouragement, and motivation to realize their potential. She was organized, confident, and spoke with a purpose as she led our group through the days of training and planning. When school started she immediately made a connection with her students and it was so inspiring to see these students begin to take risks as they learned they that they had a teacher who not only cared for them, helped them, and motivated them but also believed in them. Our AVID students now believe and understand that they can be successful in more rigorous courses and that college is no longer a dream but a reality. Each week I see them becoming more confident as they visit a local university, ask questions of a guest speaker, get excited as they write and review their goals, and use the strategies they have learned in AVID to take meaningful notes in class and then reflect on what they have learned.
Kristin is a true champion for those students who do not find success at school easily. Besides AVID, she also teaches our MAPS classes for those students who need extra support and someone to help monitor their progress. Most students in MAPS struggle in one or more of their regular classes. In Mrs. Anderson those same students are learning how to be successful in these courses and in other areas of their lives. She teaches them to be organized, how to study, listening and note taking skills, reading strategies and many other valuable and important skills that the students will be able to utilize in school and in life. Kristin also organizes our mentor program, helping coordinate community and school volunteers to mentor students in our school who need extra help.
Kristin Anderson has a true heart for students and each and everyday she exemplifies the very best of our profession and our school district. I am truly honored to recommend her for consideration as the PISD Experienced Teacher of the Year!
Sincerely,
Burton Smith
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