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Paula Díaz, Excellence in Teaching Awardee
Philosophy of Teaching
A curious child is inquisitive. A conscientious child is organized and disciplined. An extroverted child is assertive and energetic. A child with special needs is physically, emotionally, and/or cognitively challenged. A bilingual child is culturally diverse. Some may perceive these children as totally different, but I ask you instead, what do all these children have in common?
'The desire to motivate has always fueled my teaching.'
All children are able to learn and have the potential for progress. Children thrive when given opportunities to explore and create, to venture out and take risks, and to use their imagination. Every child requires a classroom where diversity is accepted, nurturing is provided and instruction has been differentiated to meet their individual needs. My understanding of these needs inspired me to become an educator.
It takes a special teacher to lay the foundation and prepare students for the future by raising their level of cognition regardless of their abilities or disabilities with a true belief in each child. It takes an inspired teacher to teach children who are like a puzzle right out of the box, pieces all scattered on the table with different shapes and sizes. A patient teacher connects those puzzle pieces together with flexibility and motivation in order to create the “Big Picture.” An educator’s reward lies in knowing that when a child’s life is enriched with an abundance of knowledge and receives a quality education, that child will be a life long learner, a complex thinker, a confident person, and a great leader for the future.
A child requires intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in order to acquire confidence. The desire to motivate has always fueled my teaching. It has been the catalyst in generating a welcoming atmosphere for my students and parents.
'Each of you is a key player on my team.'
At the beginning of each school year, I compare education to the game of baseball. I inform my students and their parents that we are a “Team” seeking to be victorious. I begin by assigning parents the role of assistant coaches, and reminding them of the seriousness of the game and how their role is vital to the success of our program.
To empower my students, I announce that, “It is an honor for me to have been assigned the strongest and the boldest players within the Plano ISD league. Each of you is a key player on my team. You will have to practice everyday for 12 years. It will take a lot of determination, stamina, and confidence. You must stay focused and ready to accept great challenges. You will play as long as you have come prepared and ready to give it your best.
'Real champions make the grade.'
"After you have won every division whether it is at the elementary, middle school, high school or senior high level, you will have the opportunity to play in the biggest game of all, the World Series. Winning the World Series will be the most memorable one ever because each one of you will receive a trophy, a high school diploma, which will be your ticket to a brighter future. The choice is yours! Always remember our motto Real champions make the GRADE!” The notion of peeking into the future through my students’ eyes is exhilarating.
Year after year, I look forward to coaching a new team and continuing with the winning tradition. Just like my students, I am a life long learner. I accept the challenges as my own.
It is an honor to be an employee of Plano ISD, a school district that always strives for excellence and empowers teachers and students to excel in school and in life.
Educational / Professional Background
University Degrees
- B.S. - 1998 in Elementary Education (Grades 1-8) with emphasis in Bilingual/ESL-Spanish
Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX / Honors: Magna cum laude graduate
- Associate of Arts - 1997 with emphasis in Spanish
Collin County Community College, Plano, TX
Certifications
- Paraprofessional Life Time Certification (Educational Aide II)
- Elementary Self-contained (Grades 1-8)
- Bilingual/ESL-Spanish (Grades 1-8)
- Gifted and Talented Certification, Plano ISD
Teaching Experience in Plano ISD
- Fall 2006 to Present - Fourth Grade Bilingual, Daffron Elementary
- Fall 2004 to Spring 2006 - Fourth Grade Bilingual, Davis Elementary
- Fall 2002 to Spring 2003 - Fourth Grade Bilingual, Sigler Elementary
- Fall 2001 to Spring 2002 - First Grade Bilingual, Shepard Elementary
- Fall 1998 to Spring 2001 - First Grade Bilingual, Davis Elementary
- Fall 1989 to Spring 1992 - Substitute Teacher, Slaton ISD, Slaton, TX
and St. Joseph Catholic School, Slaton, TX
Summer School
- Summer 2008 - Math Curriculum Specialist, PAL Summer School, Centennial Elementary
- Summer 2003 - Bilingual Summer School, Sigler Elementary
- Summer 1999, 2000, 2001 - Bilingual Summer School, Shepard Elementary
Training
- Accelerated Instruction in Math ~ Math Investigations Instructor Training
- Plano Accelerated Reading ~ Writing Institute
- Multilingual Summer Academy TELPAS/LAT Training ~ LAS Links ~ LPAC Training ~ SIOP Training
- Gifted and Talented
Relevant Experience
- Fall 2008 to Present - Volunteer, St. Mark’s Catholic Church Religious Education, Plano, TX
- Fall 1995 to Spring 1998 - Paraprofessional, Plano SD
- Spring 1994 to Fall 2002 - Recreation Aide, City of Plano Parks and Recreation, Plano, TX
- Fall 1992 to Spring 1994 - Higher Goals Learning Center, Lubbock, TX
Achievements
- Bilingual Team Leader
- Math Vertical Team Member
- School Based improvement Committee Member
- Practical Parenting
- Textbook inventory Representative
- District New Teacher Trainer
- Math Curriculum Writer
- Strategic Planning Focus Group Committee
- District PDH Trainer
- Laser Beams (ESP) Program Facilitator
- Science Textbook Adoption Subcommittee
- Region 10 Teacher Preparation and Certification Mentor
- APTE Member
- PTA Member
- Beginning Teacher of the Year, Davis Elementary, Plano ISD (1998-99)
School
Principal Recommendation
Dear Experienced Teacher Selection Committee Members,
Paula Díaz is the Bilingual Team Leader at Daffron Elementary and our nominee for Experienced Teacher of the Year. She along with her team has molded an outstanding bilingual program to meet the needs of our West Cluster Hispanic families.
She has earned the respect of the students and parents by engaging them in numerous school activities and initiating an ongoing line of communication. Families participate in PTA activities, Cultural Diversity Night and Parent Information Nights where parents learn how to support their children in math, reading and science. The number of parents who come to the parent nights is remarkable.
When asked how she gets them to attend, she said, “I just tell them they need to be here so they can help their children. ”The parents respond in a positive way because they know she really cares about their child and doing everything possible to help with their success. Building relationships with the parents and students puts them in their comfort zone in a school setting. The parents also view the school as a place where they can come to learn, receive advice and support.
Upon finding strategies that work in her classroom, she shares with her team and incorporates instruction in other class settings and works with her team to support learning in all students. The teachers work as a team to support learning for all students. Her experience in working with the curriculum benefits the students as she is always looking and experimenting with “best practices.”
Her tireless work ethic and energy invigorate her students and her team. She gives 100% to any task and maintains a positive attitude with a smile on her face! I encourage you to visit her class and give her the consideration she deserves to become Plano ISD’s Experienced Teacher of the Year!
Sincerely,
Cindy Guinn, Principal
Daffron Elementary School
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