about me
That's me on the right with my hubby Steve in the Mahleur Wildlife Refuge (SE OR). Having moved from Chicago 23 years ago, we try to spend as much time as possible in the exceptional wilderness of the PNW.
My teaching philosophy
My primary goal is to teach individuals how to think critically, how to evaluate their world, and how to empower their own ideas with a strong, compassionate voice. Students can expect me to provide a safe, respectful and authentic learning environment free from prejudice of any kind. In return, I expect my students to take risks, work hard, have fun, and understand that education comes with a responsibility – a responsibility to their local and global communities.
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On Being an EducatorAt its core, teaching is about a love of learning and the strong desire for our students to achieve their goals. The results of our successes are sometimes immediate, but are more often traveling in a well-worn backpack going off to college or work. We may never know if the lessons we provide hit home, but we trust that the curiosity fostered today is embedded in the dreams realized tomorrow. The goal, after all, is not to fill a pail, but to light a fire [with apologies to W.B.Yeats].
After ten years working in film and visual media production, I became an educator. The route to the classroom was circuitous with an almost embarrassingly clichéd goal: I want to help kids change the world. I have the fortune and privilege of spending my days with teenagers who – unlike most grownups - are enthusiastic about the future and believe that most things are possible. I am a passionate and dedicated teacher of critical thinking with a focus on social justice. My student-centered philosophy develops analytical thinkers, adroit speakers, and accomplished producers of many mediums. As a teacher-researcher, I am continuously assessing my practice and instruction through data collection, evaluation, and collaboration with other educators. At the heart of my teaching is giving voice to the student perspective. Our classroom is a haven for innovation, and we begin with these essential questions: where is the students’ truth; what motivates them to learn; and how will we embed our instruction with the students’ personal and cultural experience at its core. Oh, and I also really like words. And reading. And reading about words. And language. And the use of language to shape perception. And storytelling. And making stories with sound and pictures. Wow! How lucky am I to be a teacher? |
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You can find me at:
Cleveland High School Portland Public Schools 3400 SE 26th Avenue Portland, OR 97202 503-916-5120 vmhughes@pps.net Qualifications and Certifications Master of Arts in Teaching Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Ed, 2005 Bachelor of Arts: Film and Communications Columbia College Chicago, 1995 Highly Qualified Teacher: Oregon Certified: International Baccalaureate Org. Certified: Professional Learning Communities Certified: Career and Technical Education state of Oregon: Media Arts Certified: AVID |
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