105 W. Walker Road
Wayne, PA 19087
September, 2015
Dear 8th Grade Student,
Welcome back! My name is Mrs. Timmins, and I am your English teacher this year. After 15 years here at Valley Forge Middle School, I have come to cherish this school. Each year, I meet the most interesting, intelligent, and entertaining students, and I am sure this year will prove no different.
During the school year I am extremely busy, and that’s why I enjoy kicking back and soaking up the sun during the summer months. This summer, however, was not so laid back for me because I was building forts, playing with mud, blowing bubbles, and decorating our driveway with sidewalk chalk – all with the help of my 4 year old son, Luke, and my 2 year old daughter, Anna Jo. J I absolutely adore my children, and I savor every moment I got to spend with them…even when they were having their “moments”. Another highlight of my summer was taking our children to the beach. Watching their faces when they saw magnificence the ocean is moment that I will always treasure. I can still hear their squeals and giggles, and I am still finding sand everywhere! Who knew eating sand could be such a joy to toddlers?
With September’s air starting to cool, it’s time to get focused - that’s right – time for us to focus on the Philadelphia EAGLES! Gotta’ love the birds! J Nothing says pure joy to me like watching the Eagles battle an opponent on a crisp, autumn Sunday afternoon. This season, I am (as always!) hopeful that we will go all the way and take home the Vince Lombardi trophy this year...I have to keep the faith, right?
While I am sad to see the summer days slipping away, I must admit, I am looking forward to a new school year with you. Throughout my 15 years teaching, I find that I love it more and more each year! So far, I have taught English to students in grades 7, 8, and 12, and I can honestly say that I have had the most fun teaching 8th grade. I genuinely love the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm that students your age bring to the classroom, and I love that everyday I learn something new from my students. Day after day, I look forward to coming into school, and I consider myself so fortunate to do what I absolutely love to do for a living.
I am looking forward to a great year together, and I hope you are, too! We are going to read some excellent books that generate some intense conversation in class. After we read John Steinbeck’s novella, Of Mice and Men, you will put two characters on a mock trial. Your role on your legal team will range anywhere from the lead lawyer to an actual character from the novella. Later in the year, we will read Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, and in doing so, we will bring the story to life by acting out certain scenes and having in-class competitions with the goal of protecting your ‘family’ name…more on that later!
I hope that your summer was relaxing, exciting, and energizing, and I am looking forward to getting to know you throughout this school year! Please write back and tell me all about you.
(See the other side of this letter for more details.)
Warmly,
Mrs. Timmins
Writing Personal Letter to Mrs. Timmins
Due: ______
I strive to get to know you so that I can best meet your needs in the classroom... and so that we can have fun in class! J
On a separate sheet of paper, please write or type a letter to me where you discuss some of the below topics:
· Your talents, interests, hobbies, and extra curricular activities
· How can I help you be successful in English class?
· What have other teachers done in the past that has helped you to be successful in that class?
· Do you like to read/write?
· Please add anything else that you would like me to know about you so that I can help you be
successful in this class.
Looking forward to learning about you!