When I picture great teaching, I see someone who teaches the whole child, not just the content. I see someone who teaches children about life outside of the school doors as well as about reading, writing, and arithmetic. I see someone who loves each and every student and cares about their future.

My photo represents not just great teaching but the good inside each student. It is symbolic, as the child is reaching out for the police officer’s hand. I took it at our Homecoming parade. As one of our local police officers drove by on a scooter, all of my students reached out to high-five him. I caught this shot of one student. I teach at a Title I school and many of my students come from underpriveledged homes. I stress daily to them the importance of respecting authority and being a responsible citizen. We work on behavioral issues

This photo is also symbolic because I teach my students to “reach for the stars.” I love the way this student is reaching and her hand is almost touching the police officer’s hand. He is someone she looks up to, and hopefully she has learned this year in my classroom to work hard towards a career even though she does not come from a wealthy family.