Ms. Bestor
Welcome to Ms. Michelle Bestor's Middle School English Homepage!
My Teaching Philosophy:
I can help every child learn about reading, writing, and communicating in a positive classroom environment. Each child will enjoy my class when he/she works hard, uses his/her creativity, and values every other person in the room.
My Educational History:
I graduated from Stewartville High School in 1992. In December 1996, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin--La Crosse with an Elementary/Middle School Teaching License. In May 2003, I graduated from St. Mary's University in Winona with my Master's of Education.
I taught second grade at Mosinee Elementary School in Wisconsin in the spring of 1997. In the fall of 1997, I was a substitute in the Southeastern Minnesota area until I landed a long-term substitute teaching position at Stewartville High School. In the fall of 1998, I was hired at the middle school here in Stewartville as the eighth grade reading teacher. Since the fall of 1999, I have been enjoying teaching the eighth grade English classes here at Stewartville Middle School.
Class Information:
I teach eighth grade students about a variety of English skills. The lessons I share focus on developing writing, reading, speaking and listening, and researching skills.
My Personal Background:
I was born and raised in the Stewartville area. In August of 2006, I married Tim Bestor on Catalina Island. We enjoy our home in the country and spending time with our four children and granddaughter.
Contact Information:
Email: michelle.bestor@ssdtigers.org
Classroom Phone: (507) 533-1677
Teacher Schedule
7:30-7:45 Office Hours
7:50-8:39 Hour 1 English 8
8:43-9:32 Hour 2 English 8
9:36-10:25 Hour 3 ELT
10:29-11:18 Hour 4 Prep
11:22-12:11 Hour 5 English 8
12:15-1:04 Hour 6 English 8
1:04-1:34 Lunch
1:37-2:26 Hour 7 English 8
2:30-2:55 Hour 8 Homeroom
3:00-3:30 Office Hours
Classroom Expectations
Maintain an open mind & positive attitude about activities and people.
Treat yourself, peers, adults, & property with respect.
Be on time & prepared for class.
Complete all work to the best of your ability.
Use technology as a learning tool.
Follow directions.
Keep all objects out of your mouth. No food or candy is allowed beyond snack time. If gum is a distraction, students will need to dispose of it. Only plain water is allowed in class.
Helpful Links/Resources
Parent Tool Kit, sponsored by NBC News Learn provides information, articles, and videos about school and adolescents that may assist parents through the middle school years. The drop-down menu opens up a variety of topics that may interest parents.
Schoology is the learning management system used by Stewartville Middle School. Students and parents can access students' assignments for their courses. I place daily lessons on the calendar.
Membean is a web site I use with students to help them develop their working vocabulary. Students need to complete at least 30 minutes of vocabulary development each week.
CommonLit.org is a web site I use with students that allows students to access certain stories, articles, and videos that I need them to read.
EdPuzzle.com is a web site I use with students that includes videos with questions for some individualized lessons and substitute lessons.
Collections by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is our literature book. We use this for stories, articles, and activities.
Students are expected to read from a self-selected book on a regular basis. Students are expected to read 50-60 minutes per week. Some web sites that may help your child identify interesting books are listed below:
SELCO is how to access our library. This site allows you to search for books in a variety of ways.
What Should I Read Next? is a web site that helps you find a new book based on books or authors you already enjoy. Just type in the book title or author's name to find recommendations.
FavoBooks is a web site that lists famous people's favorite books or recommendations. Students often are inspired to read by people they admire.
GoodReads is a web site that helps you keep track of your personal reading. It also allows you to explore book titles, authors, and topics that may interest you.
Lexile is a web site that helps you find books of interest based on your reading or grade level.
Rochester Public Library has published book lists by interests and grade levels.
Of course, students get great reading ideas based on what their friends, family members, teachers, and librarians recommend also!