Teaching
Philosophy:
Patrick Sullivan, Award Finalist
May 16, 2007
Carpenter Middle
School Seventh Grade Science Teacher
 What do you think is the one thing a teacher can do that will
positively influence student achievement? The one thing that will
positively influence a student's achievement is the feeling of
belonging.
If a student comes into my class with expectations of
being part of something bigger than they are, then he/she becomes
motivated to achieve. It is very important to make a child feel
at "home" in the classroom. The relaxed feeling of knowing
that he/she can accomplish almost anything he can dare to dream
is vital to a child's feeling of worth.
We as teachers need to give
children an atmosphere of "I can" by
providing opportunities to stretch their capabilities. When my
students do Future City as their Science Fair project the stage
is set for achieving something that they have never done before.
They not only have to work in a team of their peers, but also,
they have to work with adults such as an engineer and parents.
They achieve greatness on their projects first and foremost because
they feel comfortable in the working environment. The task was
enormous but not unattainable. The goal took a long time in preparation
and commitment. The teams felt comfortable with the task before
them because they each had input into the creation of a city
of the future. They each belonged to the unit. Each member of the
team had worth.
Principal's Recommendation
Mr. Patrick Sullivan currently serves Carpenter Middle School
as a 7th grade Science teacher and Team Leader. He maintains the
highest degree of professionalism in all that he does for Carpenter.
I am very pleased to nominate him for the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM) Teaching Award.
Mr. Sullivan exemplifies the importance of strong science instruction,
as it is obvious that he truly loves his discipline. He demonstrates
outstanding commitment to students, as well as provides strong
leadership on this campus. His tireless energy for classroom lab
experiments, student demonstrations, and Science Fair illustrate
the wonderful work that he does for children.
He is a master at
motivating kids to do their best, which has served him well both
in and out of the classroom. Objectivity, fairness, and a love
of learning are great assets to him as a teacher of middle school
students.
I truly enjoy working with Mr. Sullivan as his supervisor and
am extremely impressed with his performance at Carpenter. I know
him to be an outstanding person and someone who views the work
he does as so much more than a job. He is a lifelong learner and
a wonderful role model for his students.
He never hesitates to
accept responsibility or take initiative in the interest of children.
I believe that Patrick Sullivan is an outstanding candidate for
the STEM Teaching Award.
Sincerely,
Shauna P. Koehne
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