My name is Brant Williams, and I am finishing teaching my first year teaching. I've taught in western Montana as both a substitute teacher for grades K-9, and filling in for my two 5th grade (ex)host teachers during leaves-of-absence.

It's become important to me to work in an environment where students and educators are valued, where emphasis is placed on creating independent, life-long learners, and where high expectations are the norm regardless of socio-economic group, special education needs, perceived race, or gender.

I believe education is vital to the health and success of both the individual and the community. On an individual level, I believe all students should be given an equal opportunity to achieve to the fullest extent of their abilities; and that this can only be achieved within a supportive and nurturing learning environment in which expectations are routinely high.

To fulfill high expectations, I think the learning environment should be organized so that targets, and the steps necessary for reaching the targets, are made explicit. Priority should be placed on providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary for personal independence, critical thinking and contribution to the broader community.

Rather than viewing education as a discrete period of schooling, I see statutory schooling as being a stepping-stone on the road to creating individuals capable of using available resources to satisfy their own curiosity (and to educate, train or inform themselves when the need or desire arises).

I also see education as serving the purpose of assisting in the development of contributing members, who understand their importance and responsibilities within the broader context of society.