Tyler Houston's Teaching Portfolio

Philosophy

I have always had a deep passion for teaching, driven by my belief in the power of education to transform lives. I view learning as a lifelong journey, and I strive to instill that same passion for learning in my students. By serving as a positive role model, I inspire students to embrace knowledge and seek opportunities for growth in all aspects of their lives. I believe that a positive and supportive learning environment is essential for students to thrive. My ultimate goal is to equip students with the skills and tools they need to succeed — not only academically, but also personally. Teaching is not just a profession for me; it is a calling to make a meaningful, lasting impact on my students' lives.

I believe in fostering a growth mindset within my classroom. By encouraging students to view mistakes as opportunities for learning, I create an environment where they feel safe, supported, and motivated to take risks. Rather than focusing solely on being the best, we emphasize personal growth and continual improvement. This approach leads to a classroom culture of encouragement, resilience, and celebration of individual progress. Students learn to reassess their understanding, persevere through challenges, and develop the confidence to achieve their full potential.

In addition to meeting required standards, I strive to provide an enriching learning experience that develops students’ critical thinking skills. I want my students to not only master content, but also to analyze and apply their knowledge to real-world situations. I also embed social-emotional learning (SEL) into my teaching, recognizing the vital importance of emotional well-being and strong interpersonal skills. By creating a supportive and inclusive classroom environment, I aim to empower students to become well-rounded individuals who are academically successful, emotionally intelligent, and socially aware. Throughout it all, I maintain high expectations for every student, believing that with the right support, each child can achieve greatness.

Teaching Experience

Kindergarten Teacher, 06/2024 to Present

Camp Dick Robinson Elementary School, Lancaster, KY

• Designed and implemented engaging lessons to teach foundational literacy skills, including letter recognition, phonemic awareness and early reading strategies.

• Fostered students' social-emotional development by incorporating daily activities focused on self-regulation, empathy and communication.

• Differentiated to meet diverse academic, social and emotional needs of students through small group work, individualized support, and hands-on learning centers.

• Collaborated with colleagues and families to monitor progress.

• Integrated technology and creative materials to enhance lessons and encourage student engagement and participation.

• Established strong classroom management strategies to support a safe, respectful and structured learning space.

3rd Grade Teacher, 07/2022 to 06/2024

Camp Dick Robinson Elementary School, Lancaster, KY

• Promoted a positive learning environment by implementing strategies and maintaining consistent expectations.

• Established strong parent-teacher relationships to ensure open lines of communication regarding student progress and needs.

• Supported struggling students with targeted interventions, improving overall classroom performance in standardized tests.

• Collaborated with colleagues to share best practices, resulting in a more cohesive instructional approach across the grade level team.

• Assessed student understanding regularly using various formative assessment techniques, adjusting instruction accordingly for optimal results.

• Planned lessons according to district standards to cover requirements and prepare for standardized tests.

• Integrated social-emotional learning strategies into daily lessons, frosting empathy and emotional intelligence among students.

4th Grade Teacher, 07/2021 to 06/2022

Arlington Elementary School, Lexington KY

• Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in the educational process.

• Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict-resolution, critical thinking and communication.

• Implemented classroom management improvements to enhance class morale and engagement.

• Taught lessons encompassing skill-building activities in speaking, writing, reading and listening.

• Differentiated lesson plans based on individual student needs reflected by data.

Long Term 1st Grade Substitute Teacher, 01/2021 to 05/2021

Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School, Nicholasville, KY

• Created diverse lesson plans while delivering seamless teaching in absence of the regular teacher.

• Maintained day-to-day classroom management and discipline to promote learning initiatives.

• Communicated with parents regarding lessons and upcoming activities and feedback on student performance.

• Upheld classroom routines to support student environment and maintain a consistent schedule.

Kindergarten Teacher, 07/2019 to 06/2020

Hogsett Primary School, Danville, KY

• Delivered lessons, implemented curriculum and used data to create, monitor and establish personalized learning plans for students.

• Identified characteristics, needs, abilities, and struggles of each child through personal interaction and progress reports to optimize approaches.

• Exercised good classroom management focused on positive behavior support by clearly articulating fair and consistent expectations along with appropriate natural and logical consequences.

Paraprofessional Educator, 02/2019 to 06/2019

Warner Elementary School, Nicholasville, KY

• Provided support to help students learn.

• Assisted teachers in classroom management and document coordination to maintain a positive learning environment

• provided support during class, group lessons, and classroom activities.

Student Teacher, 2nd and 4th grades, 01/2018 to 05/2018

Nicholasville Elementary, Nicholasville, KY

Education and Certification

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education- Graduated Cum Laude, May 2018

Midway University

Certifications

Professional Certificate for Teaching Primary through Grade 5- May 2018

Google Certified Educator- Level 1

My Classroom

In my classroom, I incorporate a variety of Whole Brain Teaching techniques and Kagan cooperative learning strategies to actively engage students and support diverse learning needs. I work hard to maintain a positive, safe, and productive environment where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to share their thoughts and ideas with one another. Through meaningful collaboration and open dialogue, students deepen their understanding and take ownership of their learning.

I use a variety of assessment techniques to monitor student progress and guide my instructional decisions. Ongoing formative assessments allow me to tailor lessons to meet students' needs, ensuring that all learners are supported in reaching their goals.

A core value in my classroom is the importance of progress over perfection. I strive to foster a strong growth mindset by encouraging students to embrace challenges, take risks, and celebrate their small victories each day. Mistakes are seen not as setbacks, but as powerful opportunities for deeper learning and growth. By creating a supportive environment that embraces this mindset, I empower my students to develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

References

Rachel Smith

Kindergarten Teacher- Camp Dick Robinson

rachel.smith@garrard.kyschools.us

859-792-6136

Sharon Stocker

Kindergarten Paraprofessional- Camp Dick Robinson

sharon.stocker@garrard.kyschools.us

859-797-6281

Peggy Hooten

3rd Grade Teacher- Camp Dick Robinson

peggy.hooten@garrard.kyschools.us

859-806-1807

Tyler Houston

859-230-5802

tylerhouston32@gmail.com

Contact