Jessica Jones 10/16/14

Vision Statement
In the fifth grade I received the lowest grade in my entire academic career. I had a
teacher who assigned eleven pages of homework each night of the week, because we were
misbehaving in class. I want to be remembered, but not for the reason that I will never forget my
fifth grade teacher. I want to be remembered because I made such a difference in a students life
that he or she will never forget what was learned, whether that was a life lesson or a skill
described in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Teaching is not about the fame; but is
about repeatedly tutoring each student and after countless times of review, when it finally clicks
seeing the look of awe as the student understands for the first time.
Essential qualities of a teacher include being open-minded, the ability to communicate
well, positivity, and respectfulness. As a teacher I must be able to think on my feet and respond
quickly to questions that are presented to me, but I must also have patience, which includes a
tight grip on my emotions, so that I am slow to anger. Communication is also a key attribute in
the teaching field. Communication must be constructive and positive, especially when addressing
a behavior problem. When the student is treated with respect at all times then he or she is more
likely to treat others, including the teacher with respect as well; which is why as an educator I
should model respect in the classroom by respecting my students at all times throughout the day.
On that note, teachers should treat one another in a respectable manner, just as they would expect
the students to do with one another. This includes not revealing any personal information about
or stepping in on a fellow teachers ethical exercise of professional responsibility as described
under Ethical Conduct Toward Professional Colleagues in the Code of Ethics and Standard
Practices for Texas Educators (Tarleton State University Department of Curriculum Instruction,
2008).
Jessica Jones 10/16/14

Essential skills must be presented to students in an organized fashion. When a teacher is
well organized, he or she has done a good job to plan activities out for the students.
Organization helps to keep a teacher on track and ensure that students are learning to their
maximum potential. It is my belief that students move from grade to grade developing and
acquiring new skills that are to be fostered by the teacher through supporting actions of the
teacher.
Essential elements of a classroom as stated by Texas Teacher Proficiencies should be
learner centered. In my classroom I will create an environment that is welcoming and
encouraging to students from the moment they enter the classroom. There will be color
surrounding the students so that the classroom is bright and enjoyable to all who walk in. No
matter what is going on outside, the classroom will be a safe haven for all individuals.
Ultimately the goal of a teacher is to make sure the basic needs of students are met, because if
the student is hungry or tired then he or she is not going to be able to focus on the information
being presented (Jensen, 28). I will create an environment that is accepting of diversity and can
appropriately address the different learning styles or needs of all students (Tarleton State
University Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 2009).
Teaching is not a selfish profession, it is giving all that you have in hopes that what you
are saying is getting across to the students staring back at you. It is trying your hardest and
giving your best everyday despite what is going on in your life at the time. As a Texas teacher I
hope to help the future generation grow to become great learners so that they are capable of
helping society by refusing to give up and constantly learning to do more.

Jessica Jones 10/16/14

Bibliography
Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind (2
nd
ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Tarleton State University Department of Curriculum and Instruction. (2008). Code of ethics and
standard practices for Texas educators. Retrieved September 28, 2014 from
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p
_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=247&rl=2
Tarleton State University Department of Curriculum and Instruction. (2009). Handbook for
teacher certification. Retrieved October 10, 2014 from
http://www.tarleton.edu/eps/TEP/documents/Handbook.pdf