I'm so happy to have the opportunity to work with your young person!
I am blessed to have wonderful students at ERHS, and I have high expectations for them. I'm confident that with your help, they will live up to the challenge.
I love art and I'm truly smitten with all kinds of technology--and this course is a blend of both! Who wouldn't love teaching a course like that??
Just to keep you in the loop, I should let you know a few things that will help things go more smoothly:
- This class is an art class, using the computer as an artist's tool. Students will learn to be creative using graphics and presentation programs. And, they will end up with some great work for their bedroom or dorm walls!
- No talent is necessary to earn an A in this class! I take students exactly where they are, and we develop their abilities. Grades are based upon classroom participation and demonstratable growth and development, not "talent".
- This is a "skills based class". Each lesson is sequentially structured to teach those skills necessary for the next lesson (like learning the keys on the "left" hand in typing). Because of this, when a student is absent, it will be necessary for them to find some "lab time" to make up the work and practice those skills.
- I like to have fun! I love what I do, and I try my best to always come to class with a smile and a happy attitude. (Smiles are sometimes hard to find in teenagers, especially when we're getting to know each other... But I keep trying!)
- I'm fairly strict, but I'm also very fair. I try to treat every student exactly the way I would want my own daughter treated. (Sometimes, that means tough love.)
- I don't accept late homework assignments in most cases. I must admit that I am somewhat "old school" when it comes to dates and getting things in on time. It's not that I want to be inflexible...It's just the best way I know to prepare your young person for college! In my experience, you can't just "flip a switch" and "turn on" good work habits...They have to be practiced daily!
- Generally speaking, the Classwork Grade tells the tale! If your student is taking care of the little things (getting here on time, wearing the ID, bringing materials and paticipating fully) the rest of the grade will usually take care of itself! My grades tend to run on the high side. I would guestimate that fully 1/3 of my students end up with an A each term. If you're not seeing A's and B's in the Classwork section (50% of their grade), it's time for a talk with your student to find out what they're not doing (or maybe what they are that they're not supposed to be doing!)
- Lastly, don't panic if during the first few weeks, the grade isn't magnificent. At this point, there are very few grades in the book--and missing one item looks bigger than it will really be--by the end of the term.
Thanks, and hope to meet everyone at Back To School Night!
Ms.
Cunningham
301-513-5400 x303
lindac@pgcps.org
