NAME:
Mr. Smith
SCHOOL:
Middlesex Middle School
CLASS:
8th Grade Spanish
SCHOOL PHONE:
Mauel Ramírez, Elena Gómez, Bartolomeo Marrero, Isabel de Lisa, Antonio
Rodríguez, María Jorge Hidalgo, Barbara Pérez, Diego Romero, and Antonia de
los Dolores Ramírez were all ancestors of Mr. Smith's. Long ago, they
journeyed from the Canary Islands to LaFourche Parish, Louisiana, where they
also learned to speak French. They would no doubt be surprised to see their
descendant teaching Spanish. When Mr. Smith was in 8th grade, he lived in the
Republic of Panamá, speaking Spanish on a daily basis. Some years later, he
studied Latin American literature, folklore, and history with Sabine Ulibarrí
and Rubén Cobos at the University of New Mexico. Despite his background, he
was genuinely surprised when he was asked to begin teaching Spanish several
years ago. He enjoys helping students to develop a lifelong love of learning
in all areas, including the acquisition of Spanish as a second language.
Every member of each class is a very important individual, with ideas and
talents and skills which are unique. Each person is a fully-appreciated,
valued member of the learning community - and each individual is, at some
point along the way, the very best at something he or she does. Each person
on each class roster is truly "Number #1."
We have a worthwhile, pleasant job to do together this year. Maintaining a
harmonious learning environment in which civility and mutual respect set the
tone, we shall enthusiastically pursue the learning of a second language, in
the context of better understanding the multiple cultures in which Spanish is
spoken daily. Students are encouraged to continually ask questions, and to
take the lead in applying our learning to authentic problem-solving tasks.
