Jessica Phillips
I am an AACPS: Teacher, Sunset Elementary School | 2020 Teacher of the Year Honoree
As a teacher, it is my job to ensure that all of my students come to school each day feeling safe and excited to learn. I strive to build a community within my classroom, as well as through the entire school. Through building rapport and relationships with students and their families, I am able to learn each child’s story. Knowing each child’s story allows me to know and understand their thoughts and actions throughout the school day. Because each child is different and has different needs, it is important that I take the time to ensure each child is getting whatever they need to succeed each day. Each day, when the children enter my classroom, my goal is to make sure that all of the students’ basic needs are met, so that they are available and ready to learn. I believe that each student should have the opportunity to learn at their highest potential, through differentiated instruction. My team and I have been able to create thematic units based on the IB PYP themes, the AACPS curriculum, and the Common Core standards. These units allow children to inquire, research, collaborate, and learn through their transdisciplinary units. I also strive to incorporate the IB learner profile traits within my classroom. It is important that as we help children learn and grow, to look at the whole child, and not just their academics. Children are taught the IB learner profile traits, and are encouraged to embrace each trait in order to be the best student that they can be. The students are encouraged to take their learning to new levels, by taking action within the school and the community based on their learning. We, as educators, are helping to create the leaders of tomorrow, and it is my mission and goal to help each student reach their highest potential so that they can be the best version of themselves now and in the future.
