WELCOME TO THE CENTER!

Mission

The mission of the Biddle Center for Teaching and Learning is to offer programs and services to promote and advance the study, practice, appreciation and celebration of teaching.

Challenge

All students need and deserve the best that teachers and schools can offer.  In today’s schools there is no greater challenge than ensuring that each student has a competent and caring teacher dedicated to improving the educational opportunities and outcomes for all students.  Many students are considered at risk because of factors beyond their own individual control such as poverty, language, geographic location, mobility, and low expectations.  Teachers need to be highly trained and motivated advocates for all of their students, and their profession, and strongly supported in their work, in order for all students to develop to their fullest abilities and to attain their personal and academic goals.

Beliefs

Effective teachers -

• are qualified in their teaching skills and caring in their attitude and manner.
• believe all children can learn and communicate this belief to their students.
• build on their students’ strengths and provide instruction that connects with the students’ language, culture and prior knowledge.
• are a key part of closing the achievement gap that now exists through the use of sound educational strategies and practices, and the creation of learning environments conducive to learning.
• recognize that family involvement has a positive impact on children’s academic achievement and are able to establish this involvement in their classrooms.
• provide leadership in managing change to improve teaching and learning for all students.
• create caring communities in their classrooms that hold all students to high academic and personal standards.