Thomas Hobbs Educational Portfolio

While my paid duty is to help students gain the specific reading, writing, speaking, presentation, technology, and other skills required by the district and state, I believe that my solemn duty is to help students develop skills in higher order thinking, creativity, and communication.  I want my students to have more control over their personal and economic futures, to solve problems and improve life, to appreciate beauty (e.g., art, religion, love, relationships, nature), to hear meaning and implication in what is said and what is left out, and to communicate with passion and persuasion.

While this portfolio will show that I have an underlying understanding of educational, psychological, and sociological theories, as well as specific techniques to teach effectively, I have not yet figured out a regimen for making my goals work every day of a school year.  I don't know that I will be able to come up with a packaged plan that any other teacher can pick up at the local bookstore or study to be successful like so many 'get rich quick' seminars.

I do know that I will be thoughtful in engaging students and challenging them to achieve their utmost potential, considering each student's variety of interests, prior knowledge and experience, expectations, and needs.

Please note that while this program was completed at Northeastern Illinois University, some material was learned and created during undergraduate work at the University of Arkansas and graduate work at California State Univeristy at Dominguez Hills.

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