Mike Mathis,
Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
When I first had to write my philosophy of education in college, I really did not know where to start. I put this paper together that included some lofty ideas about my ideal classroom and appropriate teaching strategies. In the end I was somewhat pleased with my paper, but I also realized that it was the words of an aspiring teacher, not one with even an ounce of experience!
So now that I have had a handful of years of experience to draw on, it is easy to look back and realize how naive I was. Teaching students to think is a major piece of my philosophy that I got right, but I know now that I left out the most important component of all: relationship.
Teaching in PIano ISD was a dream for me as I worked my way through college. I attended both Williams High School and Plano East, and the fact that I now teach at Clark High School, in the east cluster, is not something that I ever take for granted. I look back to teachers who made an impression on me and try to take a piece of their teaching styles and incorporate them into my own.
Two teachers come to mind: Mr. George King at Williams and Ms. Jennifer Timme at Plano East. I know that the two of them are a very large reason that I am a teacher today, and it is because of the relationship that each initiated with me.
On the first day of school, I stand before each class and introduce myself. I then proceed to tell the students in each class that they have now become very important to me. They are now my kids and I will be there for each and every one of them. I also make it a point to learn names as quickly as possible, because addressing students by name, especially soon after school begins or in the hail, lets them know that they mattered enough that I should know their names.
I also make time to get to know their interests. If I know what students are interested in, whether that is an extracurricular activity or not, I can strike up a conversation. I try to attend a few extracurricular activities each year to show support as well.
Learning to think is vitally important in the rapidly changing world we live in, but I have found that the best vehicle to teach this, the most efficient way to get students to buy into whatever critical thinking or group activity I have planned, is to build a relationship first. It is the foundation.
The best example I can think of in building relationship was a young man I had the pleasure of teaching during my second year at Clark. He had a troubled background, was one of many children, and did not have many of his basic needs met. Much of this I did not realize at the time but did wonder about often. This young man was usually engaged in class and really enjoyed discussions about various countries he had been learning about, but he was never prepared for class. In fact, he brought nothing to class.
My wife and I went out and bought him a notebook with paper, folders, dividers and other things to help him get more organized. When I presented the notebook after school the following day, he gave me a very enthusiastic hug, which is unheard of for a 9th grade male, and proceeded to tell me that this was the first thing he had been given in his entire life.
That was a defining moment for me. That was rewarding.
If you ask the students in my AP (Advanced Placement) classes, most will tell you that they hate the work load, but they love the class. If I can find a way to make a boring subject interesting or a despised class fun, I have found a way to draw students in to the point that they will learn.
At the end of the day it is all about relationship. Most students would go to the ends of the earth for a teacher that they know cares for them.
Educational
/ Professional Background
University Degrees
- BA. in History and Minor in Secondary Education, 2000-2004
University of North Texas Denton, TX,
- Member Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society for Education
- Social Studies 8-12 Certification, History 8-12, English 8-1
Teaching Experience
- Clark High School-Piano ISD Piano, TX - 8/2005-Present
- Social Studies Teacher
- World History Team Leader as of 5/07
- Currently teach World History AP, World Geography PreAP, and on-level World History
- World History - 2005-Present
- World Geography - 2006-Present
- Substitute Teacher, PIano ISD - 2005
Committees/Leadership
- World History curriculum writer for PISD since 2006-07
- District professional development planner
- Clark HS Academic Decathlon Liaison
- New Teacher Mentor
- Attended World History AP Reading 6/08
Honors and Awards
- Clark High School Experienced Teacher of the Year - 2009-10
- Clark High School Beginning Teacher of the Year - 2005-06
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