"To extinguish the free will is to strike the conscience with death, for both have but one and the same life." William Ellery Channing (American Moralist, Unitarian Clergyman, & Author - 1780 - 1842) Learning is the ability to apply a formula to all aspects of knowledge and information and apply that knowledge and information in the applications of life through a critical thinking process that can be applied anywhere and everywhere. Teaching is the ability to present, deliver, and provide enough knowledge, strategies, techniques, etc in order for the student to develop his or her own process of thinking and executing. I set high standards of professionalism, formality, and effort for my students in the classroom. I approach each student from a place of excellence. The way I do this is by presenting myself in a manner of excellence. That shows in my dress, my presence, my syllabus, the assignments, the level of feedback that I give, and my consistent and appropriate communication with them in and out of the classroom. The core of how and what I teach is from a place of creating an environment where critical thinking and free will intertwine. Without these two processes, learning is impossible. While content is key in grasping concepts, it is the critical thinking process that I nurture the most in my students. I do this by probing, asking, offering scenarios, presenting other forms of content, group exercises, creative exercises, media, vibrant discussions, etc. In developing critical thinking skills, I use group projects to nurture my students' critical thinking processes. I do this because in group projects, we learn to work with the dynamics of a group, assess people's personalities, strengths, weaknesses, make decisions about the distribution of work according to a person's personality, set deadlines, establish goals, and execute tasks in order to complete a project. As expected challenges arise in group settings which are welcomed as I again guide students on how to solve those problems as problems among groups are the basis of life and relationships. I teach the way I do because in the end I want my students to be able to apply the core and fundamental skills of critical thinking in and out of the classroom. I have a concern that students in the US lack critical thinking skills and the ability to solve simple and complex problems. As a teacher, I hope I am making a contribution not only to my students, but the US workforce, economy, and its' future.