For Those of You Who Don't Know Me, This Is My 25Th Year in the Classroom(12 in Anderson

Hello all.

For those of you who don't know me, this is my 25th year in the classroom(12 in Anderson: 5 at AMS & 8 at ACHS) & if your child went to RBT, Mrs. Mathews is my better half. I began my teaching career in MetcalfeCounty, then BarrenCounty, then 1 year at WesternHillsHigh School.I have taught basically every scienceclass from 6th grade through high school physics, &middle school social studies. In myMetcalfeCounty days I also coached boys & girls basketball, and football. Prior to teaching I spent 4 1/2 years in the US Army and worked as a carpenter/brick mason before that. I do have a wide range of life experiences and can connect with students pretty well.I tell kids not to limit their options bynot giving their best effort, because you never what life will throw at you. I had no desire to go to college, but in the early 80's with a very weak economy (much like today) I joined the army toput food on the tablefor my family (wife & 2 kids), then through the armycollege fund & Pellgrants I became a teacher.Enough about me.

If you check my web page each week, you will see my lesson plans; this will let you know what days quizzes will be given & what days students will be having homework. My power point notes are also posted on here, to let you see more specifically what we are covering in class. With you, your child, & me all working together to ensure that our students give the best effort they can in this class, we will have a great trimester. Sadly, I average 2 student failures per class due to multiple zeros, so let's make sure students have no zeros. Feel free to e-mail me anytime to check on your child's progress. Another way of keeping up with grades is to access Infinite Campus Parent Portal; if you are not already doing so, please contact the board of education to sign up for this valuable tool.

As you saw on the syllabus, we have quizzes about once per week, the only major test is the Final Exam. Any time a student is not happy with a quiz grade they may re-take the quiz for 50% credit back. For example if a student makes a 50% on a quiz, but the retake grade is 90%, I would change their grade to a 70%. All retakes must be done prior to the next quiz, and may only be done after school (3:10 – 3:30) or before 1st period (7:20 – 7:45).

Tracy A. Mathews

Integrated Science

ACHS