"My reasons for teaching the last fourteen years were learning, children, and the wonder of the gestalt phenomenon. I always learned from the children how to best design my instruction for them. Children are gifts to us, adults, and the future of our nation. It is important that they learn how to be productive in our society. Finally, gestalt is the state of knowing or understanding something new as the learner puts the individual pieces of one concept together for the first time. The biggest smile comes across my face each time a student's eyes were enlarged and their mouths opened as they realized that they got it! I would be remiss if I did not say that my belief is that education equals power. For students who are reluctant to learn they must be motivated by knowing this and also by knowing that their parents care about their education. I retired from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools this past June and am hopeful to remain involved in the education of children." less...