Temescal Canyon High School
Mrs. Brust
951-253-7250 (room 614 for English)
English 9
Hello Parent(s) / Guardian(s):
I am looking forward to working with you in order to create a productive learning environment for your child. I have high hopes for this year and I am very excited to get to know you and your child. But first, let me introduce myself. This is my eleventh year teaching at Temescal Canyon High School. I grew up here in Lake Elsinore, so it is my pleasure to come back here and teach for the community that has influenced me.
I earned my English Education degree and credential at California State University Long Beach. I have my Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University. I enjoy school and the learning process. I am a lifelong learner and I am always looking to further my education.
I am the Yearbook Adviser here at TCHS. This is my eighth year with yearbook and so far, I love it and the challenges it brings. Yearbook is the epitome of “real-world” and at times it is stressful and taxing but very rewarding. After-school work hours are daily for me, lunch work hours as well. Students can always find me in my room working at lunch if they have questions. I am in my room during lunch 95% of the time.
I am also a Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach here, where I have coached for nine, going on my tenth year. I also coached softball here for three years in the past. I believe part of my role is to contribute to a variety of programs and students on campus, which is why I am involved in many different areas here at TC. Being a part of activities and programs, besides just teaching English, gives me a better sense of my students and our campus as a whole. Involvement is key for me. I also encourage the kids to get involved as well.
I believe it is important for you to know my teaching theories that will shape my teaching. I think a classroom should be a cooperative learning experience. Each student brings his/her own personality into the classroom. I plan to work with each student’s individual needs as much as possible. My goal is to explore many avenues of critical thinking based on the texts we read in class. My responsibility isn’t just to teach your son or daughter English, although this is definitely the main focus. My responsibility is to sharpen their reading and writing skills in English, yes, absolutely. However, I am here to teach them and coach them in their overall academic and life skills, such as, responsibility, respect, self-accountability, study skills, critical thinking, organization, effective communication, and many other skills they will need as an adult. Students will however, be exposed to a variety of authors and topics to broaden their views, opinions and depth of knowledge. It is imperative that they build a base for future courses, such as Advanced/Honors English and our Advanced History classes and all upperclassmen courses that they may take in future years. Laying the foundation for their next three years here (as well as the future after high school, which seems so distant still) is essential and it starts the first day of class.
I want the classroom to be a comfortable environment. Therefore, I will not tolerate “put-downs” in the classroom. I expect my students to respect everyone in the class, this includes all students and myself. This is an important rule and I will hold all my students to it. I promise that I will also treat all my students with respect in return. This will enable us to have a comfortable learning environment that will foster learning. My expectations are that they have positive attitudes, they hold themselves accountable, they show respect towards everyone, and that they do their personal best every day. Since they are young adults now, it is important that they learn to communicate and take responsibility for themselves and their actions. I will help guide them in these areas.
We will be reading several different texts throughout the school year. I will send home a course outline, which includes a list of all the texts I plan to assign, so that you can feel free to read along with your student or just so that you have a better understanding of what we are discussing in class. The course outline will go into further detail about the grading scale, attendance policy, and the exact assignments that are to be completed.
Now that you know a little about me and what I expect, I would like to get to know you and your child better. What I would like for you to do is to answer some or all of the following questions: (Don’t write down your answers just yet. You will have space to write down your answers on the last page. This is just to get you thinking.)
1. What are your son or daughters interests?
2. What are their strengths and weaknesses as a student?
3. What would you like to see them learn this year in English and why?
4. What are your plans for your son or daughter?
5. What are your son or daughters goals for the future?
Feel free to add to these questions or omit any. You may also feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns. The most effective way to get a hold of me is via e-mail. I check my e-mail daily. ()
I know that the beginning of the year can be just as overwhelming for parents as it can be for students. I have included some suggestions to help you with the beginning of the school year:
-ask your child what they discussed and did today in class. They should have a planner with what’s going on in class or coming up or the daily agenda written down.
-ask to see your child’s classwork/homework after they have completed it, so that you can become familiar with what they are working on.
-ask them probing question about the text they are reading.
-engage them in conversation about what they like or dislike about the subject they are studying.
These are just a few things you can do to be a part of your student’s educational experience.
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to read about your student’s English class. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child better. Please keep this letter at home as a reference. The only portion I need back is the last page. Again, if you need anything please do not hesitate to e-mail me or call. However, email is the best way to get ahold of me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Brust
Please fill out the below section and send it back to school with your student. Please keep this letter.
Please keep the above letter and turn in this Q & A page only.
Student’s Name:
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) name(s):
Phone:
E-Mail:
Address:
Print Name: ______(relationship to student) ______
Signature: ______
What are your son or daughters interests?
What are their strengths and weaknesses as a student?
What would you like to see them learn this year in English and why?
What are your plans/hopes for your son or daughter?
What are your son or daughter’s goals for the future?
Additional Comments: