Tara Davis

Studied at Illinois State University

Degree in English Education with Middle School Endorsement and Italian Minor

Philosophy: I believe in a student centered, inquiry model of education. My students will have the opportunity to create, ask questions, and develop their own way of learning. This style of teaching is possible by providing choices for the students and showing them that there is more than one answer to every question or problem. I begin my lessons by thinking about the life skills that my students will develop as a result, instead of specific content or assessments. For example, my goal for my students after an entire year in my classroom is to develop a love of reading and writing and to be able to discern between truth and persuasion in messages that they encounter in everyday life.

Classroom Management: The most important part of classroom management is building relationships. If I do not have a relationship built with each of my students, I cannot know what their needs are. Student actions always have meaning behind them. Instead of sending a student straight to be disciplined, it is important to find out the background behind their actions. Though I believe in enforcing my rules consistantly, consequences must also be aligned with communication.