"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
-Nelson Mandela
The competency of my teaching portfolio "Knowledge of students" demonstrates my ability to form close relationships with students built on respect. In order for students to be motivated to learn these types of relationships with both the teacher and their peers allow for an accepting and inviting learning environment that is accessible to all learners.
I also believe that it is the responsibility of the teacher to work to create this type of environment in their classrooms through an in-depth knowledge of their students' strengths and needs so that all students have an equal opportunity to grow both socially and academically in the classroom.