My teaching philosophy is simple.  It was taught to me by a professor at Rhode Island College, Anthony Antosh, a guru in the disability arena.  I learned it almost thirty years ago and still live by it.  “Try another way”.  It’s so simple, it’s scary.  If something doesn’t work, try it another way.  If that doesn’t work, try it another way.  The cycle just goes on and on.  I don’t give up on kids—ever.  I believe that kids find their strides at different ages.  When they find something they can be passionate about, they’ll do what needs to be done.  The hardest thing is to help them find that passion.  I believe in rigor and high standards.  I believe that all kids can learn.  I believe that we can’t do a million things well and for some children, we need to focus on what is important. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in accountability.  I want kids to “step up to the plate” and not just be there, but to hit it out of the park.  I believe that fair doesn’t mean giving every child the same thing, but it means giving every child what they need.