One of the main goals this year for my 4th and 5th graders is that they learn to Actively Participate in their education. I grew up in a time and place where the expectations for me were not always as lofty as for many of my classmates. Fortunately I was raised by a mother who taught me that I could accomplish anything through education. She told my siblings and I to sit in the front of a class when possible so that I was seen by the teacher. She taught us to ask questions when we were unsure. “Your teacher’s job is to help you understand the material.” We were taught that knowledge comes from participation, both the victories and the losses. We do not passively learn. I want my students to actively take in all of the amazing teaching that is happening here at Inez, which includes students sharing their unique knowledge with each other. I get the pleasure of working with the most amazing kids at the most amazing school, and I want everyone of my students to achieve what ever goals they set for themselves.