| Dear
Parents,
I am delighted to have your child as a student in my class. All the students were screened and counseled carefully before being enrolled in one of these classes and I expect them to do well. Calculus and College Algebra sometimes have scary connotations, but in reality, they are very interesting classes with many applications to the real world and to finance. Your child's background in mathematics is more than sufficient to excel in either class. I would like to welcome you to my class website. http://www.distancemath.com/collegeacademy. Please bookmark the site for future reference. I hope you and your child will enjoy the links that I have provided and will also learn to explore more than what is covered in class. Feel free to browse this website and let me know if there is something you would like for me to include that is not already included. Grades will be posted on my website. Please click on the grades online link. The password my students is CAxxxx, where xxxx are the last 4 digits of their Florida ID number. My background in Mathematics Education is extensive and you can find more information via a link on the main page of the website. Not only do I teach mathematics, but I also enjoy it. I strive to convince my students that mathematics is not "a bunch of rules and formulas to memorize", but an interesting topic, which enables people to understand the world and use knowledge and intelligence to solve life's problems. I hope they will experience the utility, power, and beauty of mathematics. My grading policy is explained in the syllabus along that my students brought home. Hopefully, all students will actively participate in class. Open discussion leads to better communication and understanding between teacher and student. I encourage questions and will always answer the students' question when asked. I respect my students' opinions and encourage them to talk to me about their problems in math. I appreciate and consider any creative suggestions. I expect them to respect me and not to abuse the openness of our class and likewise I will respect them and their opinions. Mutual respect and trust are key words for becoming a success in the educational process. Of course, I expect my students to demonstrate appropriate classroom discipline at all times. Grades are a big concern to students and their parents. I will be more than happy to help students earn good grades. Students will be given many opportunities to demonstrate all their abilities. I assign homework almost daily, short quizzes, and chapter tests, along with a final exam. We will also be doing SAT Prep. In order for your child to succeed, he or she must do the homework on a regular basis and have good attendance. A notebook should be kept such as a small three ring binder to hold notes, quizzes, HW, review sheets and the like. Many quizzes are open notes, and without an organized notebook, your son/daughter may not do as well as he/she is able. Remind your child of organizational skills. From time to time, misunderstanding or confusion occurs in the teaching-learning process. I believe in an open communication between parents, teacher and student. Any problems can be best resolved amongst people willing to communicate on behalf of the common goal - BETTER EDUCATION for students. You are welcome to bring to my attention any concerns you might have at any time. I promise to do the same when I feel the necessity. Feel free to call the school or to email me at joan.kessler@browardschools.com. Please remember that parent phone call is welcome for Academy classes but please refrain for BCC classes. I look forward to a great academic year with your son or daughter. Sincerely,
Joan Kessler, NBCT
|