About Me
My name is Crystal Millwood. I am happily married to Rusty, and we have one son, Landen, who is in kindergarten. I love teaching and I know it is what I was meant to do. I attended Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. Some things I enjoy are:
- Spending time with family and friends
- Church activities
- Digital scrapbooking
- Reading
- Photography
- Watching TV/movies
- Listening to music
- Singing
- Playing games
My Philosophy of Education
I believe that all children can learn. However, I also understand that not all children learn in the same way. Just as each student is an individual, so are their learning styles. It is my responsibility as a teacher to provide a variety of ways to present the material, because no one style will fit every child. In addition to providing a variety of teaching methods, I must also provide a variety of assessments. I believe that assessment guides instruction, and in order for students to be successful, I have to know where they are and what they need. I love the quote, “Fair isn't everyone getting the same thing, fair is everyone getting what they need in order to be successful.” I am continually learning, and reflection plays a very important role in this. By reflecting on each lesson, and determining what worked and what didn't, I can be better equipped for the next lesson.
When I was in school most classes were boring. The teacher just stood up and talked to us the entire time. We had to remain seated and quiet most of the day. I do not want that for my students. I want the children in my class to be excited about coming to school! I am a firm believer that learning can, and should be fun! I want my students to be actively engaged in a variety of activities that will make what they are learning become real to them. I believe we should move away from simple yes or no questions, and guide students to a higher level of thinking where they will learn to apply, analyze, evaluate, and then create. If children are not simply memorizing information, but are able to make a real world connection to what is being presented to them, that is when true learning will occur. These skills are necessary in order to be successful in the 21st century.
In addition to believing all children can learn, I also believe that every child deserves to feel loved. I am aware that not all children have a great home life, and sometimes the only time they feel loved is at school. I want my students to know that I truly care about them as a person. I also want my classroom to be a safe and inviting environment. It is my desire to treat every child with love and respect and to not show favoritism in any way. I want every child to know and understand that they are special, they are loved, they are capable, and they can be anything they want to be.
When I was in school most classes were boring. The teacher just stood up and talked to us the entire time. We had to remain seated and quiet most of the day. I do not want that for my students. I want the children in my class to be excited about coming to school! I am a firm believer that learning can, and should be fun! I want my students to be actively engaged in a variety of activities that will make what they are learning become real to them. I believe we should move away from simple yes or no questions, and guide students to a higher level of thinking where they will learn to apply, analyze, evaluate, and then create. If children are not simply memorizing information, but are able to make a real world connection to what is being presented to them, that is when true learning will occur. These skills are necessary in order to be successful in the 21st century.
In addition to believing all children can learn, I also believe that every child deserves to feel loved. I am aware that not all children have a great home life, and sometimes the only time they feel loved is at school. I want my students to know that I truly care about them as a person. I also want my classroom to be a safe and inviting environment. It is my desire to treat every child with love and respect and to not show favoritism in any way. I want every child to know and understand that they are special, they are loved, they are capable, and they can be anything they want to be.