VBCPS Teacher of the Year
"There is no one quality that makes a teacher outstanding; rather it is a combination of many traits. I know that if I always remember that my students are my top priority, everything else just falls into place. First and foremost, I make sure that I know my students. I see my students as individuals, each with their own unique interests and styles of learning. It is important to try and reach students at their level of understanding, to listen to their ideas, and allow them to take ownership of their learning. Therefore, I take a collaborative approach to teaching. I instruct, of course, but our classroom is one of shared authority. The students set goals for themselves, help design tasks, and self-assess. Many options are given for activities and assignments based on the interests and goals of my students. We share knowledge and learning strategies, engaging in open and meaningful dialogue. Lessons are tiered and differentiated for the many levels of my students, but all children, regardless of instructional level, participate in critical and creative thinking activities."
"Thanks for keeping it real, Mrs. Manugo." This statement lingers in my mind when I think about teaching. One of my tenth grade English students wrote this to me when he signed my yearbook last year. While it made me giggle when I first read it, I began to think about the most important aspect of teaching. Successful teaching involves connecting with the students in a way that fosters a passion for learning. I take pride in my ability to remain professional while "keeping it real" for my students. An outstanding teacher should provide students the knowledge they need to succeed, set high expectations, and simultaneously share with them the passion he or she has about learning and the value of education. I have the privilege of teaching World Literature. Many students have never stepped out of Virginia Beach, so my goal is to make that Nigerian tribe and that aboriginal lifestyle authentic for them. We actually construct passports and take a trip around the world... Outstanding teachers also learn from their students every year; that is what makes us real."
"Teaching is not only what I do, it defines who I am. I have believed since my early days in college that the opportunity to touch the lives and guide the direction of society's youth is the most fulfilling occupation a person can experience. I approach each and every day with the same energy, enthusiasm, and zeal. While the material I teach may change, my basic tenet does not. It is imperative that I instill in my students the desire to actively participate in their own education. Therefore, I search for new and creative methods to interest my students. Active learning in my classroom means performing plays rather than just reading them and actually writing books of poetry... I hope that I influence others in a way that makes them feel inspired, loved, and motivated to be the best they can be."
"Who Am I in The Lives Of Children? The title of my first education textbook was daunting... I believe that teachers are one of the most important people in a child’s life. I am a second parent, a facilitator of knowledge, a coach, a manager, an editor. I believe that in order to effectively wear so many hats, one must continually strive for professional development and personal growth. A good teacher remembers well the theories of Vgotsky, Piaget, Erikson, and Gesell. But an outstanding teacher applies these theories to the classroom, the students, and to herself as well. For example, Vgotsky has helped me to understand that children must talk out what they are going to write before they write it. This led to my “human paragraph” exercise which allows teams of students to tell their stories to each other before they write them... My reward in teaching is seeing a child who has learned in my classroom." |
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