Michelle Singleton

Background

About Michelle Singleton

My teaching philosophy: I integrate cross-content areas, build relationships, and make learning personal, authentic, engaging, and meaningful to prepare my students with 21st century learning, literacy, and life skills. I am a certified Teacher with 15 years of experience and I am currently serving our military families and local neighbors as a teacher with the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) in Kadena Air Base, Japan. I have a passion for improvement and achievement, and I use my energy for continuous reflection on my own instructional practice in order to improve my students’ understanding, growth, and abilities. For example, I utilize many of the lessons I have developed for my Asian Studies courses in my high school Mandarin Chinese classes. Likewise, I integrate elements from my language course into my Asian Studies classes. This provides a deeper experience for my students and helps them associate the learning material with practical applications in everyday life. In addition, I look for ways to reach and engage students. In 2013 I founded Beyond the Classroom – Creating Chinese Connections. Through this non-profit organization, I plan and coordinate study trips to Taiwan for American and Japanese students. By attending local schools, performing in artistic activities, and socializing with their Chinese peers, my students have the opportunity to form real bonds that will positively impact them for years after they leave the academic environment. Finally, I will expand my own capabilities by pursuing a second Master of Arts at Middlebury College which will focus on Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.