The document below answers most questions that parents and students have during the year.
¡Hola! Welcome to Spanish 2 at Enloe High School 2020-2021! The school year will certainly look different than any other we have ever seen. Over the next 10 months, we may get to know each other pretty well. This letter represents my attempt to get things started quickly and answer a lot of questions you may have.
Who am I? Not Jean Val Jean! I’m Maestro David! This is my thirteenth year as a Spanish teacher and twenty-first as a teacher. Before returning to my Alma Mater, I taught Spanish at Raleigh Charter High School from 2008-2011 and English as a second language (ESL) at Wake Tech Community College from 2003-2008. I also taught ESL in Mexico from 1995-1998.
Outside of teaching, I volunteer and work for a community organization called Raíces del Sur, which is committed to bringing generations of families together (legally) with parents that live in Mexico to see their children that they haven’t seen for 10-40 years and grandchildren that they’ve never met. I am also active with the Boy Scouts of America and I refereed indoor soccer until the Pandemic for 12 years.
I have worked in the public sector as the policy analyst to minority affairs in the NC Office of the Governor, served as the Fair Housing Director to El Pueblo, Inc. and the Project Director to CommUNITY 2000, which was a project of the Leadership Conference Education Fund in Washington, D.C. designed to improve community relations and reduce the prevalence of hate crimes in our community.
In the private sector, I worked as an English to Spanish and Spanish to English translator/interpreter for various agencies, including the Cuautla, Morelos (local city government in Mexico), NC Legal Services, and the NC Housing Coalition. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Literature from Earlham College and my Masters in Public Policy Analysis from Duke University. My most recent education came through NC State University and the NCTeach program, where I successfully completed all coursework necessary to earn my NC Teaching Certificate in 2010. Students, you are in safe hands: I’m certified!
In an interesting side note (maybe only to me), I have a lot of ACC in my Raleigh-born blood. My father was a professor at NCSU. My Aunt and Uncle graduated from Wake Forest. Another aunt, a cousin and I graduated from Duke. My son attends UNC and my wife and I both completed educational programs at NCSU. My allegiance falls primarily with Duke (my degree) and UNC (tremendous pride in my son and a desire for family peace). I support NCSU if Duke and UNC are not involved! Wake Forest remains an afterthought!
What is our class routine? This year, I have NO IDEA! A lot of this year will be trial and error (hopefully, less error). If we ever meet in the actual classroom, a lot of the assessments will take place there.
Here is what I used to say about the class routine…I will assign a video explaining a concept we will practice in class or work from a website. When class begins, if you haven’t done it, you need to do the assignment and then start participating in the planned activities. At the beginning of class, I will ask for questions about the assignment(s). I will explain anything that is unclear. Following that, we will go from “theory” (video discussion) to “application” planned activities designed to practice the concepts from the assignment.
What projects will we have this year? I do not have any major projects planned at this time for this school year. That may change later in the year. This is my first year using the “new” curriculum and I’m familiarizing myself with it as we go.
What is our daily homework time investment and why? All students should wholeheartedly dedicate 20-30 minutes to Spanish five nights a week if they expect to learn the language. I don’t expect more or less time investment. Many nights, students will view a video and take notes. I understand the realities of life can interrupt learning. Sometimes a student has things going on in life that prevent studying and academic growth. If this happens, I can work with students to help get on track by discussing study strategies, helping to create structure, and more. However, I cannot learn the material for anyone. The formula for learning is straight forward. In order to learn, students must invest their time and focus their efforts. Students that do not regularly complete assignments thoughtfully rarely experience success. If a student is not engaged independently in completing the daily homework assignments it is unrealistic to expect the student to achieve a high level of success in class.
What will our daily homework assignments include? Most often, I will assign some form of video about a Spanish concept or a practice video/website. Take notes on the videos and be prepared to ask questions and practice the concepts in class.
How can I improve my grade? Study more. I do not offer “extra credit” but there will be many opportunities to improve based on effort and quality of learning this year. If a student wants to improve a grade, the student should study the material extra and the results should play out on assessments and class activities. My website includes a list of links geared towards remedial practice and cultural enrichment.
Respectfully,
David West
Spanish Teacher, W.G. Enloe High School