I ate my Wheaties this summer in preparation for what should be a very eventful, challenging, and wonderful year! I thoroughly enjoy teaching middle school students and thank you in advance for all you will do this year to support your child’s efforts in his/her classes to be attentive, prepared, productive, and successful. My primary goal is to challenge your child to further develop his/her communication and problem solving skills and to help him/her foster self-discipline. Everything that you do at home in support of your child’s education and maturation makes the classroom experience that much more effective, and I appreciate your partnering with me to help insure your child’s success.
Please continue to encourage your child to share his/her progress with you. Students may do so informally in conversation but should occasionally take responsibility for sharing their work with you. The emphasis can be on the student’s initiating the conversation, though it would be helpful if you would inquire from time to time. I’ve found that surprising questions like, “ Learn anything strange lately?” often generate an easier flow of conversation than the generic “What happened at school today?” (Note to students: This time is not an opportunity to have your folks do your work for you but to share what you find interesting and to seek reasonable assistance when needed!) Sometimes this does seem like too much to ask when teenagers are developing independence and might be testy when asked. However, the student most often cannot help but succeed when lines of communication are open. While I tend to give students opportunities to solve behavioral and academic challenges before I contact you, I promise to keep you informed about your child’s progress as needed. Parents ask early on what they may do to help, so I’ll share here some ways in which you can be very helpful:
· I very much look forward to getting to know your child and his/ her interests, goals, and talents. To assist me in this venture, one request I have of you early in the year is that you give me in the format of your choice – letter or “essay,” visit or phone call – feedback about your child that will help me get to know your child better early on and let me know any pertinent information about his/her personality, background, learning style, study habits, etc., that would assist me in working more effectively with him/her. I’d love to know how you see your child as a student and as an individual. As a parent myself, I know how very busy the first days of school can be, so please know that this response need not be very long unless you feel so inspired, but anything you share will be most helpful as we establish positive working relationships early in the year. If you would like for your response to be confidential, please note that in a sealed response. Please know that I very much appreciate and will treasure your words.
· We would also appreciate any time you might be willing to give to class for any/all of the following: visiting class to read to student from a favorite book, visiting to share how reading has influenced your life and/or career, visiting to offer computer expertise…particularly for publications and possible digital video production, and offering to supply treats for occasional class celebrations.
Thank you again for your support. Please feel free to contact me as needed with any questions, concerns, constructive feedback, or praises (:}) at any time as we welcome the opportunity to improve our program for the benefit of our students. I look forward to seeing you at Open House!
Please know that I consider it a privilege to have your child in my classroom. Here’s to a great new year!
Lisa Crockett :}