I know my high school credit course is high stakes for you. I'm in this with you, and I'm going to do everything I can to help you. I keep the following three promises in mind every day I teach:
I will not take your prior learning for granted. I will thoroughly review important concepts that we will build on so that you have a deep and real understanding.
I will correct misconceptions that I identify in our discussions and in your work.
I will help you build a strong mathematical foundation that will help you not only through this Math class, but future Math courses you take.
My major in college was Middle Level Education. A large part of that was studying adolescent development. I know how the brain works, especially at your age, and we will discuss the brain a lot in my class. We will discuss how to manipulate how we know it works to benefit you in the learning process so that you not just learn, but retain information.
I am Gifted and Talented endorsed. This means that I took courses that taught me how to teach gifted learners. I know you have unique struggles, and I can relate to and identify with many of those. My courses are catered toward the gifted learner with those common struggles in mind. We'll discuss how to overcome those struggles, and how to use them to your advantage.
All of the work I assign you is intentional and will help you learn and study the math we explore. I will never assign you "busy work."
I know math is a subject that stresses many students out, but it doesn't have to be. I'm going to teach you some techniques to deal with math and test anxiety, and we will work together to combat it and keep it at bay.
We are going to talk about how you are feeling about math often so that I can help you feel more confident.
Math can be a lot of fun and I am going to do my best to show you that as often as I can.
I'm going to regularly ask for and use your feedback about the course.
I'm going to teach you new ways to talk about math that will keep you feeling positive and confident.
Be honest with me. Let me know how you are truly doing with the concepts we explore and how you really feel about them. Don't try to impress me by pretending you get a concept you are struggling with. I will not judge you.
Advocate for yourself. Let me know when you need extra help. Ask questions in and out of class. E-mail me when you need to. Attend office hours when you need them. Let me know what you need.
Try. Do the assignments I ask you to do and give me, the class, and yourself your best effort.
We're in this together, and we've got this!