María
Márquez, Elementary Teacher of the Year
 Sigler
Elementary School
First
Grade Bilingual Teacher/
Bilingual Team Leader
Philosophy
of Teaching
Educational/Professional
Background
School Principals'
Recommendation
Philosophy of Teaching
My philosophy of teaching focuses
on each individual child and his/her educational
needs, the teaching strategies to help the child
achieve his/her highest potential, the development
of positive character traits which are essential
in becoming a productive citizen in today's society,
and parental involvement in their child's mental,
physical and emotional development.
The most important concept that I try to recognize is the uniqueness
of each individual child with his or her unique educational
needs. I try to become aware of the strengths and
weaknesses of each student through continuous assessments
and observations. Once the strengths are identified,
they are challenged and the weaknesses are nurtured.
To meet these challenges I must be assertive and
creative in order to motivate the students and have
a sense of understanding of the difficult challenges
faced by today's youth. I accept the challenges of
being a parent, a counselor, a friend and a confidant
to these children with whom I share their educational
endeavors.
In today's diverse society, a teacher must be aware and sensitive
to the multicultural differences in order to better
understand and encourage the individual child to
achieve to his/her highest potential. Several important
methods by which I am able to facilitate learning
for each individual student are by applying new concepts
to past experiences, which in turn makes these new
concepts more meaningful to the student and teaching
them the necessary strategies so that they might
be able to apply them to everyday problem solving
solutions.
Students receive direct instruction followed by some guided instruction
until they become independent learners. To accomplish
these goals, I use technology, multi-tasking, working
in cooperative groups and the usage of manipulatives
to help students become strategic learners. With
my daily instruction, I also try to make these new
concepts relevant to the future.
In the teaching of citizenship and character traits, I strive to help
each child learn to share the concern for the well
being and dignity of others. They must learn to demonstrate
loyalty and pride toward out country. They must also
be responsible, courteous and honest toward others
with whom we share our values and different ways
of life.
The last aspect of my philosophy is the importance of maintaining
a constant rapport with the parents. During meet
the teacher night, I provide parents with strategies
on how to help their child with homework by organizing
a binder which includes reading, spelling, language
arts, writing and vocabulary activities. Parents
review skills specified by the teacher on a daily
basis. Parents are contacted by phone on a regular
basis for positive comments and/or concerns. When
parents are not able to attend conferences, a home
visit may be necessary. We will be implementing a
club for parents in which we will meet with our parents
on a monthly basis to address topics pertinent to
our hispanic families such as: how to communicate
with our children and teaching children responsibility
and respect.
The most rewarding aspects of teaching are the self satisfaction and
fulfillment, which come from having the opportunity
of providing learning opportunities and sharing my
knowledge with students, parents and colleagues,
as well as observing the children grow academically.
The appreciation shown by the parents by either a
phone call, notes or visit make this profession very
rewarding.
Educational
/ Professional Background
University Degree
- B.S.
- Texas Woman's University
- Major
- Elementary Education / Bilingual Certification
- Minor
- Spanish
Teaching Experience
2004 to
Present - Sigler
Elementary School
- First
grade bilingual teacher / bilingual team leader
- Implement parent program, "Club de Padres - Avanzando
Juntos"
- Interview / recommend hiring of bilingual teachers
- Interpret / translate various forms
- Coordinate LPAC meetings and Adopt-A-Kid project
with Renner Middle School
- Chairperson: bilingual vertical team
- Mentor: student
teacher from Texas Woman's University and beginning
bilingual teachers on campus
- Presenter: new teacher inservice
- Volunteer: Computers@Home program
- Tutor: TAKS math and reading, third grade students
- Member: Integrated curriculum vertical committee
and district technology bond committee ('03-04)
- Attendee: BEAMS Conference "Power of Two
Languages" and dual language institute, Plano
ISD ('03-04)
- Member: Science grant writing committee ('02-03)
- Volunteer:
Saturday summer school registration ('02-03)
2001-02 - Shepard Elementary School
- First grade bilingual teacher / bilingual team
leader
- Mentor: bilingual special education teacher
- Presenter: fourth annual hispanic parents' seminar
- Presenter: bilingual program overview to campus
staff and PTA
- Interview/recommend hiring of bilingual teachers
and assistants
- Chairperson: bilingual vertical team committee
- Campus textbook inventory person for bilingual
department
1991 to 2001 - Davis Elementary School
- First grade teacher / bilingual team leader
- Chairperson: bilingual vertical team
- Member: DEC Roundtable Committee and interview
committee for district bilingual director
- District textbook subcommittee for reading/language
arts
- District textbook adoption committee for language
arts
- Writer/presenter of language arts curriculum
guides for first grade bilingual teachers
- Presenter: central cluster bilingual meetings,
third annual hispanic parents' seminar and annual
Saturday workshops for hispanic parents
- Volunteer: Practical Parent Education classes
for hispanic parents and Saturday summer school
registration
- 1992-93 Davis Elementary School Teacher of the
Year
1990 to 1991 - Sigler Elementary School
- First grade bilingual teacher / bilingual team
leader
- Implemented "People Helping People" program designed
to teach hispanic parents how to speak/communicate
in the English language
- Organized a "Cinco de Mayo Celebration" program
for the community
1986 to 1990 - Barron Elementary School
- Second and third grade bilingual teacher / bilingual
team leader
- 1988-89 Barron Teacher of the Year
1980 to 1986 - Saigling Elementary School
- K-5th grade bilingual teacher
- K-5th grade ESL (English for Speakers of Other
Language) teacher at Jackson, Shepard and Memorial
elementary schools
- Implemented "Holiday Project" with Jackson Elementary
School
- 1992-93 Saigling Teacher of the Year
School
Principal's Recommendation
At Sigler Elementary, the school's mascot is a "star."
In her role as a bilingual first grade teacher, Mrs.
María Márquez personifies this shining
star; she is a symbol
of all that is exemplary and radiant. She is enthusiastic,
nurturing and committed to providing the best education
possible for her young students. Under Mrs. Márquez's
guidance, her first graders are also shining stars.
Mrs. Márquez is a master teacher, who believes
that every child can and will learn. Her lesson plans
demonstrate excellent preparation aimed at gaining
the maximum involvement of her students. Her multitasking
activities utilize a wide variety of approaches based
upon student interest and learning styles. At any
given time, children use the computers, problem solve
with manipulatives, listed to English and/or Spanish
stories on tape, and read and write books. Mrs. Márquez
uses flexible grouping and guided reading strategies
in order to teach each child at his or her own instructional
level. She asses students' progress and needs through
teacher observation and formal/informal testing and
then plans lessons to meet those needs. She is successfully
implementing the dual language program into her first
grade classroom.
María's hours extend beyond those of the
school day, and her influence is felt beyond the
doors of the classroom. She has planned and organized
parent education meetings for our Hispanic parents
with the "Club de Padres: Avanzando Juntos." this
group, "Parents' Club: Progressing Together," addresses
topics pertinent to our Hispanic populations such
as teaching children responsibility and respect,
how to communicate with children, spending quality
time with the family, and math and reading strategies
for parents to help with homework.
In addition, Mrs.
Márquez chairs our bilingual vertical team
and plans meetings with the staff to keep them informed
on current topics in bilingual education. She effectively
mentors student teachers from surrounding universities
as well as Sigler's beginning teachers. A lifelong
learner dedicated to improving her teaching, María
willingly and eagerly embraces new educational materials
and programs.
María Márquez is an effective and
enthusiastic educator as well as an advocate for
our bilingual children and their families. She is
an extraordinary candidate for Experienced Teacher
of the Year. She will put her heart and soul into
doing what is best for her students. As an educator
for Plano ISD, María Márquez will positively
influence the lives of our young people for years
to come.
Es una maestra fabulosa. Los estudiantes
estan encantados con ella.
Sandra Muzquiz
Sigler Elementary School Principal
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