Bbomb003

About Me

Welcome to my page... My name is Ben and I'm a 24-year-old from the small town of Galax, Virginia. I'm originally from Pennsylvania but moved to Virginia in the late 90's where I finished high school and met my current wife — Tinsel. We dated for 5 years before getting married Aug. 11, 2008. We are currently expecting our first child on April 27, 2009. We have a pet dog, a male pomeranian named Hokie. That probably gives away that I'm a HUGE VIRGINIA TECH fan and spend every Saturday possible either at the games or in front of the television. I also enjoy riding my 2006 Honda CBR 600 RR motorcycle and spending time with the love of my life — my beautiful wife. I currently work as a reporter for The Gazette in Galax. I cover Grayson County and everything that goes on it, so if you don't want your name in the paper, don't commit any crimes in my area!

Education

I am a 2002 graduate of Carroll County High School. I graduated with honors and in the top-20 of my class. I attended Radford University where I obtained a degree in Media Studies with a concentration in Journalism in May 2007. Now, I'm attending Old Dominion University where I'm going for my teaching certificate to teach elementary.

Teaching Philosophy

To me teachers are the most important job a person can have. Sure some might say doctors or fire fighters save lives everyday, but those people that hold those jobs once sat in a classroom learning how to read and write from a teacher. Teaching is not something everyone can do. You have to have your heart in it — and not only worry about getting weekends and summers off work! A good teacher becomes more than just a person who teaches children how to do that tough math problem or learn where all 50 states are located. A teacher must become a positive role model and a person each student can look up to for guidance and direction. A teacher's job is to educate children first — but to help children through the difficult times as well. I want to be the type of educator that students remember down the road. The teacher that gets a letter 15 years later from a grown man or woman who has just completed their college studies and remembers something I taught them back in elementary school. A teacher needs to be someone who knows how to handle difficult situations — such as children coming from different homes and being on different levels. Students should not be grouped based solely on their ability, because I think students who's abilities are above others are a valuable resource to help teach those children that are further behind — on their level! In my classroom I hope to have all the technology available to provide children with valuable lectures and hands on activities that teach children, instead of them just listening to someone talk for hours. I picture my classroom with a student interaction section where the students can sit in a circle on the floor during reading time or a fun activity. I hope that my classroom is one that each student feels comfortable and able to say anything they want. Most of all I want my students to know that I'm there not to make them feel dumb if they do bad on a test, but to lift them up and teach them what they did wrong and how they can get better. I want to be that teacher that provides all the answers my students need.