I believe children are often trying to make sense of the world around them. They want to understand why they are required to act in certain ways or to do certain things, like go to school. The aim of education, then, is to help children “think deeply, analytically, flexibly, and imaginatively” about the world around them (Theodore, n.d.b, ¶1). I believe that teachers must use research-based best practices in the classroom. In addition, educators must “try to embed traditional moral values and virtues such as respect for authority, perseverance, fidelity to duty, consideration for others, and practicality and intellectual knowledge that students need to become model citizens” (Theodore, n.d.a, ¶1). I want my students to be well-prepared, responsible, active, ethical citizens of this country and the world.