Jodie Haney

Viterbo Values in Teaching

The Viterbo Values of Contemplation, Hospitality, Integrity, Stewardship, and Service
can be intertwined in the teaching of middle and high school students. They follow my
educational philosophy that we need to teach the whole student, not just the academic learner.
These values will be seen throughout my teaching, no matter the grade or section of science.
Contemplation is a value that fits nicely with academics. To think about the material is
essential in the quest to understand concepts and ideas of science. However, contemplation is
more than merely thinking about scientific topics, or the answers to a question. Students will
need to concentrate and get deep in thought on scientific concepts throughout the year. This can
be done through scientific research articles and controversial topics within science. It is my hope
to prepare my students for college level science in which they will need to read journal articles
that require more thought than just reading. Information will need to be deemed important and
extracted for further analysis. In addition, controversial topics are found in current and ancient
scientific practices. Thinking about ones own stance will require more than the facts, but feels
and a sense of morality and value. Using hot topics, I hope to generate thought and drive for
more information.
Hospitality can also be taught in the science classroom. This is beyond academic and
more personal. Science typically requires lab work, and it is essential that students can work
together in a peaceful and productive manner. The lab is the best place to teach and incorporate
hospitable practices. Students will likely need to share materials, and understanding each others
needs is important for a smooth lab. Also, when picking partners, or groups, the students should
learn to include each other. This value will be used to teach the whole student and will hopefully
carry through to other courses and parts of life.
Integrity is a topic that should be used in all content areas, not just science. Here,
students will have to complete and hand in original work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and
the students will have to be honest when turning in assignments and exams. Also, the students
will be expected to take responsibility for their own actions, which to me is a form of integrity.
This is a life skill that they need to learn in order to be good members of society. Integrity will
be explained in conjunction with the classroom expectation of Being Honest. This
encompasses both honesty with others and yourself. Integrity must be held to a high standard for
all students, and will be in my classroom.
Stewardship can be seen within a classroom setting. In science, lab materials are often
used to demonstrate a new concept or cement information already learned with a tactile strategy.
Lab materials should never be wasted or used in excess of need. I will teach my students that
being wasteful not only affects the school and its budget, but the environment and the world
around them. High chemical waste can be detrimental to our planet, or more locally or water, so
they must be disposed of properly. Being a good steward of our planet and our resources is,
again, a life skill that can go beyond the classroom. I hope to teach my students about the
environment and our place as protectors and advocates for our home.
Service is one of the values that at first seemed more difficult. However, there are plenty
of ways to show service in the science classroom. One way that comes to mind is a project that
could be constructed outside the classroom. My idea would be to do an environmental service
project in every class that can be tied into current material being taught. Plenty of natural
science can be witnessed outside, and while students are observing natural science, they can
complete a service project. Students could pick up trash and have a discussion on what pollution
does to our planet. Also, students could clean up a forest trail and discuss the process of
photosynthesis or migration. There are plenty of natural observations that can be linked to
relevant topics in the classroom and coincide with a service project to better the community.
I hope to take these Viterbo Values with me once I leave and instill them in my future
students. These values are not only necessary in the classroom, but go toward teaching the
whole student. By following these values, I can help to create positive and influential members
of society that are not only academically achieving, but socially responsible.