Philosophy of TeachingDescribe your personal feelings and beliefs about teaching, including your own ideas of what makes you an outstanding teacher. Describe the rewards and pride you find in teaching.
People often come to me for advice when they have technology issues. Technology seems to be something that comes naturally to me; it intrigues me. My dad worked at Texas Instruments and other taught Machining and Math Education. My Mother was an elementary teacher. I am positive that I have inherited those traits from my great parents.
I enjoy showing young people how to use technology as a tool they need to know to be successful. PC, iMac, iEverything, projectors, audio, visual, plus everything in between, I can show you how to use it. The beauty of technology is how it is continually evolving, always getting faster. Learning to make efficient use of this hardware to more quickly access resources is a thing of our future. I also really care about people and want to make our school an Awesome Place to Learn. My administrators have performed exceptionally well this year. I can’t write this document and not somewhere Congratulate the Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year and leave out her distinguished achievement. Congratulations Mrs. Renae Dozier, very cool! I pride myself on my ability to adapt to the fast pace of changing technology. My specialty is teaching students how to access resources and beginning to build a personal resource center as a website that they can access and modify well after completing high school. My knowledge and use of Adobe Products Like Photoshop and Dreamweaver are advanced level. This allows me to focus more time on individual instruction rather than spending time learning how to use the software. So now it is 2012 and this is my seventh year of teaching. Wow, my school district has came a long way but is always striving to do better. I believe that continuing to look forward in teaching is a must. Embracing change positively is a lesson that good teachers master and master teachers share. I have learned how to share my technology skills now more effectively than ever before. I am excited about the ability to now share my knowledge with Anyone, anywhere with a Screencasts and Web Portfolio teaching method. As anywhere anytime learning begins to evolve we must remember that we are working towards the goal of producing college and career ready students. Teachers get the chance to make a difference. I make a difference. Mike Huggins |
How are your beliefs about teaching demonstrated in your personal teaching style?
I am a hi-tech person. I teach hi-tech. My classroom is stocked with 25 PC's, 1 iMac, 1 MacBook, 2 iPad 2's, 2 iPod Touches, 3 Canon DSLR Cameras, and 2 Scanners. We have the learning tools, or students may bring their own devices starting Fall 2012 at GHS. All of my students will use all of these devices. Students use these devices by a rotation schedule based on the day of the month and the student seat number they are assigned. This differentiated instruction method has been used with success in my classroom.
I use my Smartboard and projector every day. I have even made use of the Smartboard with the iPad2 connected wirelessly through an Apple TV box or a small connector. I like to be up and at the smart board during the beginning of each class where I can explain the lesson, answer questions, then go to work on creating a solution to the daily challenge. About three years ago, one of my students inspired me with a creative signature phrase after my morning intercom announcements. Tyler told me one morning “... say huggins out!” So I tried and it stuck immediately. I have been using Huggins Out daily since that day. 2011-2012 has been an awesome year! This year I... . My lesson plans for the entire year were rough drafted before school started. . Learned how to broadcast video, audio, and screencasts of my lessons to watch remotely. . Clebrated 7 years bus driving with no major accidents. I drove my last route after spring break. . KabesDad.com Driving School opened its doors to those 15 and older. My 4th class starts in June. . Started 7 new websites to make a total of 21 current active sites with over 300 pages of content. . Learned how to make Google Docs work for me. Created over 100 new Google Documents this year. . Wrote the first (local) GEFFE grant available as a smartphone style app and a web site. . Posted over two dozen videos on my two YouTube channels. . Advised Yearbook Staff in the production of the 7th yearbook I have produced. . After 3 years on the waiting list, got my 2011 Chevy Volt. 11 out of 10! love it! . Helped with Kabe's soccer team and cub scout group. . Looking forward to 12th Anniversary with my wife this June. Wow, it was a busy year when I see it all down on print here. I am proud to get to represent Grove Public Schools as our candidate for Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. If I am chosen as the Oklahoma TOY, I will work hard with Dr. Barresi to teach our teachers about using technology to engage students. Thank you for this opportunity. Mike Huggins |