Mid+Semester+Letter+308

Dear Mrs. Epstein,

I would like to take this time to thank you so much for the opportunity to spend this semester in your classroom. I have enjoyed every moment because every moment has been a moment of learning. I have already learned so much from you and I am looking forward to continuing to learn all that I can in the little time we have left. It is my firm belief that because of you I will be much better prepared for my student teaching next semester and eventually my career.

The first and possibly most important thing that I have learned this semester is to never take any lesson lightly and to plan everything. After that first lesson I had a huge realization; every lesson needs to be very well planned no matter what it is you are teaching. From now on every lesson I teach will be planned to the best of my ability and I will prepare everything ahead of time. Again, I want to truly apologize for this oversight and never again in my teaching career will I ever make that same mistake. It is my personal opinion that this lesson taught me things that I could never learn in school. I am thankful that I have that lesson to look back upon as a “what not to do.”

Another very important lesson I have learned this semester is to keep the classroom well organized. Everything in your classroom is so well organized and because of this everything runs well. Students know what to expect and where everything is. Lessons are never delayed because of missing paperwork or materials. I have spent some time in classrooms that were not organized and they seemed to make students very uncomfortable. Your students are very comfortable in your classroom and I believe your organization is the reason they feel this way. I know that for me, organization has been something I have struggled with my whole life but I will continue to work on it throughout my career.

Also, I learned the importance of using professional language at all times. You have pointed out to me on several occasions when I have used unprofessional language in my teaching. Some examples of this are repeated use of “you guys”, “ok” and “Me and Brianna.” This is something I never thought about until you pointed it out. The way we use language says a lot about us. When going into an interview or even my student teaching I want to be as professional as possible. Also, this use of language sets a bad example for the students. If you want your students to use correct grammar you need to model it in your everyday speech.

The final lesson I learned was that things will not always go the way you plan no matter how well you plan them, especially when you are working with technology. This was evident by our trip to the computer lab today. Sometimes things just do not work the way you want them to and you may have to improvise or totally change your plans. You handled this situation with such grace that I could only hope that if something like that were to happen to me my reaction would be the same. In my career I will try to always have a backup plan in case something like this happens (which I am sure it will.)

Overall, in the short amount of time I have spent with you, I feel like I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. None of my cooperating teachers have taught me as much as you have. That first lesson is something I will look back upon for years to come and I am sure that besides remembering how embarrassing and horrible it was I will remember your kindness and compassion. Thank you for everything you have done for me this semester.

Sincerely, Kelly Nolan