Day Three: The Letter of Introduction

At the beginning of each year, I write my students a letter welcoming to my class and setting a positive, learning-focused tone. Then I have them write back to me, discussing who they are as readers and writers.

Here is my letter:

Letter of Introduction

From their letters, I begin to build rapport and gather data for the grammar and mechanics lessons that will need to be taught throughout the year. I build rapport by commenting on each of their papers, relating and responding to what they have to say. I do not "correct" any of their mechanics mistakes, but instead create a matrix of all the errors I mine. That way, I can later confer with the students about their growth areas and plan my lessons to meet my students' needs.

Here is the mechanics matrix I created:

Class Mechanics Matrices

Day Two: The Syllabus

On the second day, I discuss the syllabus in depth with my students. Here's what I have planned for the year:

Syllabus 10 11

Day One Plans: Routines and Procedures

Ah, housekeeping the first week. It's so critical that I set up my systems, help the kids get all their supplies organized, and really lay the foundation for how I want them to behave in my classroom early on, because as the year goes on I get more and more tired, and I really rely on these systems to keep my classroom running smoothly.

If I don't lay the foundation, we'll never be able to build the house, so to speak. We won't be able to do cooperative learning and writer's workshop, if my expectations, routines and organization isn't clear. Thus, first week housekeeping.

Here is the PowerPoint I use to introduce my classroom expectations:

First Week Classroom Expectations

The "Resilency" link took the kids to the following motivational video.

An Example of Positive School Culture

Last Wednesday was our boys' first football game of the year. Dr. Eddleman and the assistant principals offered food, soft drinks and a bean-bag toss set for tailgating. Nearly the entire faculty showed up, and the food ran low, but no one minded.

Before the game the coach brought the boys over to see their teachers, principal, assistant principals, office staff, and other employees of the school. They could not believe we all came, and even throughout the game, the boys were consistently looking over their shoulders at the crowded bleachers, from where we cheered and led chants for their victory.

The boys ended up winning 26-24 against an all-boys school. We were thrilled, as were they, of course. The two boys to make the three touch downs all happened to be my students, and I jumped at the chance for rapport building the next day. They beamed when I congratulated them.

Here's an email from the district director of athletics to our principal:

Dr. Eddleman,

Congrats to Westport on the win last night…it was a hard fought battle!! Your team looks well coached and discipline on and off the field. In talk with some of your faculty and staff, they all seen excited about the sport and what it’s done for some of the young men in your building…I hope the trend continues!!

A big shout out to your faculty and staff…the tailgating and fan support was awesome!! And a special thanks to you for my dinner…perfect timing and it hit the spot!!

Good luck on the rest of your football season and school year!! Go Westport!!


Robert E. Vinegar, CMAA
Coordinator of Activities
Jefferson County Public Schools
Character First!

Flying High After Week One

I'm happy to say that despite nerves that drove me to shake like a leaf and even get sick, my first week at my new school was a marked success. I think I had a bit of an existential identity crisis: I'd gotten comfortable being a "good" teacher at my old school; where would I fit in now in a school of all professional, competent and bright teachers.

Happily, I feel right at home. I have identified mentors among the faculty and administration to watch and emulate, and I have become the mentor for several new, first year teachers - all of whom are remarkable and show impressive promise.

One week in and I'm waiting for someone to pinch me: who knew that such a utopia could exist? Where the faculty, staff and administration collaborate professional and with joy, as both friends and colleagues, for the best interest of the students in whom we all believe can succeed. I am blown away.

Aside from my satisfaction with the employees at Westport Middle School, I am also thrilled with the students. Economically less privileged than much of the nation (60 percent receive free or reduced lunch services), but highly skilled and positive about learning. Their optimism surprised me because I had heard horror stories about the students at Westport - all of which I now know were exaggerated and more than likely the cause of combative, less-than-supportive teachers, and a leadership vacuum of about three months last year. (The students had no principal, and the seventh grade had no assistant principal before Dr. Eddleman - the current principal - came in March.)

And Dr. Staci Eddleman is the mastermind behind Westport's transformation from a negative, under-performing school, to a professional, positive place where I have no doubt the students will exceed expectations. In keeping with the Obama administration's stance that teacher quality is the number one factor for school improvement, Dr. Eddleman asked many of the less than positive and progressive teachers to transfer out. Unfortunately, some great teachers also were lost in the shuffle, according to many of the current factory. Overall, however, those returning say the change in the culture is palpable.

Dr. Eddleman hired through an application and interview process, rather than strictly seniority, and I believe that is the key reason for Westport's success. All of the teachers are professional, competent and caring. Together, we make a positive place to work, collaborate and learn, and the students see this and emulate it. Although they came in a bit defensive the first day, I received gushingly optimistic and positive letters by day three.

It's going to be a fabulous year.

Meeting My Boys...

Although I won't meet my new students until Tuesday, it was exciting to see their enthusiastic faces on the news after their first football scrimmage. Can't wait to meet them all!