Dawn Conway
I am an AACPS: 2nd Grade Teacher, Hillsmere Elementary School | 2016 Teacher of the Year Nominee
Through education I believe all students are capable of becoming life-long learners who are willing to take risks, embrace challenges, and develop a love for learning. My teaching style is one that incorporates a variety of teaching techniques and methodologies. I am a strong advocate for hands on learning and differentiated teaching models, where all students experience success on a daily basis. I am methodical in the way I plan for instruction, making sure all students are enriched with appropriately challenging learning tasks. Each day the students navigate through various learning cycles, including independent work, collaborative work, and small group instruction. My lessons extend beyond the classroom, where I teach respect for the environment and the community through partnership with local foundations. My students come to school with a variety of abilities and talents. I understand the importance of using various teaching strategies to meet the needs of all learners. It is important that I provide my students with many opportunities to take ownership of their learning throughout each lesson, which leads directly to meaningful student involvement. I follow up each lesson with a formative assessment. Students are actively engaged in the self-assessment process and students are responsible for their learning in a tangible way. Developing a meaningful relationship with all of my students is a very important part of my teaching philosophy. I commit my daily instruction to helping all students feel successful and accepted. I work hard to influence positive ethos through establishing a growth mindset environment in my classroom. Students are inspired to work hard and persevere through all assignments. My goal as a teacher is to instill a passion and love for learning in each of my students. I want them to feel successful in all that they do and always believe in themselves in the classroom and beyond. My love for learning continues as I am always eager to plan with colleagues and learn from their teaching styles. My students and colleagues inspire me to be the best that I can be. I endeavor to do the same for them.
