Hi! Welcome to 7th grade and to our language arts classroom. My name is Erica Guffey and I am excited and blessed to have the opportunity to teach you and learn with you! This is my 23rd year teaching in the Wayne County School District and I'm certain that you will be a huge part of making it my best year yet!

A little about me: Like you, I attended Wayne County Schools. I then obtained my bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Language Arts at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), a master's degree in Middle Grade Education and a Rank 1 in Principal and Leadership also at EKU. After teaching for several years, I returned to college to get another master's degree in school counseling at University of the Cumberlands. I have two children; Phoenix is 14 and MacKenzie is 18. I also have two in-house dogs; Bella and Pyper. Up until a few weeks ago I was a waitress at the Black Stallion restaurant, so you may have seen me around. I look forward to learning more about you and getting to know you better! :-)

About our class: First and foremost, let me emphasize that this is OUR classroom! We are in this together and I will learn from you just as you will learn from me (this is one of my favorite things about teaching!). This year may look different than what any of us have experienced in the past; however, many things remain the same regardless of the instructional model you are on.

1. We will focus on words and the power of words: in reading, writing, and speaking. You have a voice and it matters! I want to aid you in better understanding the importance of your voice and how to support it in a manner in which others will stop and hear you.

2. Our classroom is a SAFE and positive environment, whether it be in person or virtually. How does that look? Part of what that looks and sounds like is not insulting, tearing down, laughing at, or dismissing others. Also, not insulting or tearing yourself down. Self talk matters!!! Build yourself and others up, because you CAN and you are capable. What this also means is that it is okay to be wrong; it is not okay too simply not try. I am wrong often because that is part of being human. We learn from our mistakes, but we never learn from not trying. It is important that you be intentional about learning; or, as I like to say, "Learn on purpose"!

3. You are all individually capable and will learn and grow this year! My class motto is "Guffey's Grand and Groovy Geniuses". Each one of you is a genius in some way and in some area. We definitely don't all share the same strengths and weaknesses, but our classroom and the world would be very boring if we did. I am excited to see you take your genius status to the next level!

Contact Information:

Parents/guardians AND students should sign up for the 7th grade Red Team Remind.

Students also need to download outlook to their phone in order to receive school emails on their phone.

1. ****BE SURE YOU HAVE SIGNED UP FOR THE TEAM REMIND PAGE****

2. Email me at erica.guffey@wayne.kyschools.us

3. Call me at Wayne County Middle School @ (606)348-6691

4. If all other methods of contact have not worked, you may text me at (606)307-0928

The best time to contact me is during my planning each day from 11:30 am to 12:20 pm.

I am really looking forward to this school year with you and seeing all of the amazing and exciting developments that I KNOW will occur with us working together!