Camille Grigdesby

Dr. Pate
Professional Development 3320
22 February 2015
My Vision Statement
Nelson Mandela once said, Education is the most powerful
weapon for changing the world. We, as educators, are shaping the
future because we are teaching the future. I hope to inspire,
encourage, and equip my students with the tools needed to make
them successful after they leave my classroom.
I first realized I wanted to become an educator my senior year
when I was placed in the special education classroom as a teachers
aide, and I never could have imagined the impact it would have on my
future. I was in awe of how much unlocked potential the special
education students had, and that I could be the one to help them
achieve their potential. I have always been told it takes a special
person to teach special education students, but I do not think that is
true; I believe it takes a special person to teach in general. Teaching is
a selfless, rewarding, and can be a thankless job. Teachers have an
important impact on the world that usually goes unnoticed, think to
yourself, would you be where you are today without a teacher?
My vision for my classroom is to make an environment that is
safe, respectful, and a place where active learning takes place. I want
my students to learn to become team players, individual thinkers, and
appreciative of the different cultures and ethnicities within the
classroom. Culture isn't just a list of holidays or shared recipes,
religious traditions, or language; it is a lived experience unique to each
individual. As educators, it's our job to stimulate the intellectual
development of children, and, in this era, it's simply not enough to
operate on the axis of color-blindness. I believe culture plays a huge
part in students learning process, for students to actively work
together they need to respect and understand one another. Each
student brings something different to the classroom such as
experiences and language, and as educators we need to realize those
differences enriches our classrooms.
All teachers bring something different to the classroom just like
students do; we all bring separate qualities and experiences.
Ultimately exceptional teachers all hold the same set of essential
qualities. I believe teachers should all be advocators for their students,
they should be respectable, caring, patient, creative, and resourceful in
the classrooms. Teachers also definitely need to have a love for
children, and their students. Students do not care until they know you
do. While teaching is a gift that seems to come quite naturally for
some, others have to work overtime to achieve great teacher status.
Yet the payoff is enormous for both you and your students. An
article from Faculty Focus points out some of these characteristics are

Camille Grigdesby
Dr. Pate
Professional Development 3320
22 February 2015
innate for some teachers and acquired for others which is true;
although no matter how whether it is innate or acquired these qualities
are attributes all educators should possess.
Mary Lou Retton said Each of us has a fire in our hearts for
something. Its our goal in life to find it and keep it lit. The fire within
my heart is teaching, and I strive to help my students find their fire and
give them the tools to succeed in whatever their passion may be.

Camille Grigdesby
Dr. Pate
Professional Development 3320
22 February 2015
Works Cited
Strauss, Valerie. "Nelson Mandela on the Power of Education."
Washington Post. The Washington Post, 5 Dec. 2013. Web. 22 Feb.
2015. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answersheet/wp/2013/12/05/nelson-mandelas-famous-quote-on-education/>.
"Culture in the Classroom." Teaching Tolerance. A Project of the
Southern Poverty Law Center. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.tolerance.org/culture-classroom>.
Orlando, Marla. "Nine Characteristics of a Great Teacher." Faculty
Focus Nine Characteristics of a Great Teacher Comments. Magna
Publications, 14 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/philosophy-of-teaching/ninecharacteristics-of-a-great-teacher/>.
"Mary Lou Retton Quotes." Good Reads. GoodReads Inc. Web. 11
Mar. 2015.
<http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/70672.Mary_Lou_Retton>.