• Credentials:                California Single- Subject Credential: English

     

                                                    Cross -Cultural, Language, and Academic Development Emphasis

    Education:                        Master of Arts in Teaching

                                                    Grand Canyon University

                                                    Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences: English

                                                    San Diego State University

                                                    Associate in Arts: General Education

                                                    Grossmont Community College

                                                    GATE Certified

                                                    CPR/First Aid Certified

                                                    Lifetime Fellowship-Johns Hopkins University

                                                    Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers

                                                    Former Community Teacher of  the Year (2002)

                                                    Sarah D. Barder Award for Excellence in Education

                                                    Recognition from the National Council of Teachers

                                                   Cajon Valley's Teacher of the Year Nominee 

                         

                                                     *Contact Information: lippertiii@cajonvalley.net

                                                   

     A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

    -Henry Adams

                I believe a teacher’s main purpose is to inspire.  Literature, writing, and art, in general, are all powerful entities which perpetually shape, enrich, and change peoples’ hearts and minds.  Much like the caterpillar and the butterfly, thorough literature one can grow, shift, and metamorphose into a more beautiful person.

              Another advantage of literature exists in its expansiveness.  It encompasses philosophy, economics, politics, psychology, history, art, science, and technology to name only a few.  Literature reflects the mind; therefore, it permeates everything inside and outside of us.  Moreover, through writing, a person realizes the freedom of self-expression, and the power inherent in words themselves.  English deals not only with facts and information; it deals with the imagination.  It has been said that learning is not a race for information; it is a walk of discovery.  I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy.  Nothing worth while comes in an instant: a diamond takes millions of years to form.  Therefore, teachers must continually build on the foundations of one another to help build a better future for our students and our world. We must be like a coral reef, each teacher adding a new level to the existing foundation.  Only then will our students reach the sunlight of success.

              I believe that another purpose of educators is to teach students how to teach themselves.  I feel most successful when I am no longer necessary.  Furthermore, knowledge is a treasure, and it should not be given to students without a price.  This would give the wrong impression about truths: that they are easy to find.  Instead, I see teachers as guides, who take their students through a forest of endless mysteries.  These mysteries, however, should be discovered by the students themselves- through careful observation, persistence, and hard work.  I believe in questioning rather than giving answers.  Although I believe and work diligently to build a solid foundation in basic skills, I also focus considerable time on higher- level- thinking strategies. My wish is not to constantly give information for the students to memorize and regurgitate, but rather my goal is to immerse young learners in the process of thinking, writing, and reflecting.

                Students should be actively involved in their own education.  They should have some say concerning the books and the assignments in their curriculum, and they should do some grading and workshopping together as well.  In this way, the teacher and the students gain empathy for one another and neither one is left in the dark about the other person’s responsibilities.  Moreover, for some students, cooperative group work is essential for their learning process; these students find it difficult to learn outside of a social context.  Therefore, I will utilize both group and independent learning.  Furthermore, I intend to include all learning styles and multiple intelligences in the classroom curriculum and assessment in a balanced way with formal assessments.

     Lastly, the environment and atmosphere in which the students learn is of great importance.  I create a safe place where students can take risks without the threat of ridicule or disrespect.  This means that I balance individual attitudes, beliefs, and values with that of the class as a collective, and I often have to redirect discussions like a referee to ensure this occurs.  Also, I think that the students’ work should be exhibited all over the classroom along with fine art: paintings, sculptures, classical music, and poetry.  Classrooms should be a showcase of traditional art and young learners’ creations and imaginings.  This forms the backdrop from which the scholar and the artist emerge.

    Sincerely,

    Mr.Lippert