PHILOSOPHY
Orange. The story of my educational values is prefaced by Orange. It was in Orange where I witnessed the powerful role of education and the impact an engaged educator has on students. At fourteen years old, Orange is where I began my first job in education.
The one hundred students of Orange Center School faced significant obstacles in their young educational journeys. Despite this, they displayed a genuine passion for education. Often confronted with poverty and limited access to basic needs, the elementary students stepped off the bus each morning eager to learn. Complaints were a rare occurrence. With support from their educators, the students harnessed each opportunity to learn with enthusiasm.
I witnessed educators inspire students to use where they came from as a motivator rather than an excuse. I witnessed the students challenge each other to improve. I witnessed myself develop a desire to support students and engage with them. My educational philosophy took shape.
PRIORITIZE THE PERSON
In hindsight, prioritizing the person characterized my entire journey as an educator. I came to embody this ideology. The Orange Center School community opened my mind to this concept. My first supervisor in higher education epitomized its impact. My experiences thereafter validated its importance. At any moment, there is no person more important than the student sitting in front of me. I value connecting with students in this manner. Gaining students’ perspectives of their challenges and triumphs is critical for supporting their development. With effective interpersonal relationships, I am able to express individual consideration with each student. These connections then influence my ability to understand each student’s journey.
MEET STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE
Working at a rural elementary school, traveling to an impoverished community in Nicaragua, and supporting non-traditional and international students affirms that each student is different. This encourages me to meet students where they are. The necessary level of guidance varies from one student to the next. Support must be implemented accordingly and expectations must be appropriate. Theories of development and methods of best practice provide foundational directions, however, they are not universal. Prioritizing individuals and being cognizant of their journey is a goal I continuously strive to achieve. I seek to understand their journey in education, to identify their path of personal development, and explore their aspirations.
ENGAGE WITH EMPATHY
Being intentional with each interaction and developing a thorough understanding of each individual presents its challenges. This is where my journey continues. Remaining informed of shifts in the education system, trending political ideologies, and unique obstacles of diverse demographics is critical. No matter my role as an educator, from Assistant to my aspirational goal of Student Affairs Vice President, I must continuously learn. Practicing empathy follows. Remaining informed, prioritizing students, and exploring their journeys allows me to understand their concerns and celebrate their accomplishments. Engaging students with empathy is the essence of my continuous quest to enhance their success. This journey is about the students, after all.