Josh Carroll
I am a: Teacher, South River High School | Maryland State 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year
I believe that great teaching begins with forming positive, meaningful relationships with students. Purposefully, I create time to get to know my students and let them know me. We share life experiences ranging from favorite books and genres of music to our most challenging academic courses. I want my students to see me as trustworthy, caring, and dedicated to their success. More importantly, I want them to be dedicated to their own success while growing into compassionate, trustworthy men and women.
Building successful relationships can motivate students to develop high expectations for themselves and to excel beyond the classroom. Ensuring students are consistently held to realistic, rigorous, high expectations for me has taken time to develop. Years ago, I focused solely on classroom performance; but, with experience as a cross-country and track and field coach, I have learned that setting high expectations for students in and out of the classroom leads to students setting high expectations in life. Many of my students are involved in extracurricular activities, community service and other endeavors. I believe my role is not only to help teach them the importance of being well rounded, but also the importance of being fully committed to the activities in which they engage. The classroom, wherever it is, is a powerful platform to help students practice setting goals, and how to practice achieving them. Outstanding teaching is so much more than executing a daily lesson plan.
An outstanding teacher energizes students to excel inside and outside of the classroom. Regardless of how their paths intersect or the means by which they interact, a great teacher not only teaches, but guides students toward shaping their overall character. Building strong relationships and promoting high expectations are the two most important fundamental beliefs of my teaching philosophy.
