While I take over the responsibility of this class and you entrust your students to my care there are some things that are vital for us to understand as teacher, students, and family members:
- In this classroom, we are a learning community. Each voice in the room is welcomed and wanted. As such, your student(s) will be expected to participate in discussions and analysis of what we read and think about. We will place extra emphasis on developing your student’s voice in the classroom as preparation for self-advocacy outside of the classroom.
- The goal is not only to enjoy what we are reading, though I hope that we can all learn to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the texts, even if it is not pure pleasure. Rather, the goal is to think about the ideas in them, to consider the author’s purpose, and to evaluate how the texts communicate to us.
- We have a chance here to start fresh. I will be getting to know you, brand new. You are getting to know me. Every moment, every day, every thought, is an opportunity for us to grow and change (which is what I consider to be a great hope and joy) so, in a way, you are getting to know each other every day in new ways.
- The only way to truly develop in a learning environment is to take risks. We will, as a community, respect and honor one another, knowing that getting an answer incorrect, needing feedback, or direction does not make someone less worthy of value. Rather, we recognize that it is through those moments that true learning happens. Everyone learns through getting something wrong, recognizing what is wrong about it, and adjusting accordingly.
