Florida

 
Joseph N. Balchunas
Fairway Elementary School
7850 Fairway Boulevard
Miramar, FL 33003

Elementary, 4 		 
 

Click on the questions to hear Joseph N. Balchunas's interview at the State Teacher of the Year conference. You must have a Real Player to listen to the interview. If you do not have a Real Player, click on the Real Player graphic:
 
1) What is one thing that needs to change in order to keep quality teachers in the profession?
2)

How do you keep yourself motivated and energized to stay in teaching?

 
 

Joseph N. Balchunas, 2001
State Teacher of the Year, Florida
According to Joseph Balchunas, "The road to success is always under construction." It is a credo that he strives to teach his students as they embark on their educational journey. During his time at Fairway Elementary School in Miramar, Joseph has devoted himself to improving the critical-thinking skills of his children while promoting a classroom atmosphere that relies on cooperation, communication, and cultural acceptance. Joseph believes that the single most important factor in a child's social and academic development is the bond forged between parents and schools. His formula is simple, "Schools + Parents = A+ Schools." Joseph was recently named a 2000 National Milken Educator. In 1998 he was named a Wal-Mart National Teacher of the Year. The road to success may always be under construction, but Joseph tells his students they will travel it together.  
     

Scholastic is the proud corporate sponsor of the National Teacher of the Year Program.