Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year
My name is Cecilia Barlow. I am married and have 3 children and 5 step children. I graduated from Belhaven College with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I have been teaching for 16 years. I am excited to have you in my class and I hope you are excited to be here. Please talk to me if you have something to share, if you don't understand something, or if you are ever upset. I am a good listener. I am planning a year filled with challenge, learning and excitement. We will be doing a lot of reading and writing, which are my two favorite subjects, but I will be here to help you all the way. In this class each student is a member of the team. The success of our team is contingent upon the intellectual and creative success of each student. The foundation for our team is the idea of mutual respect. Respect is something that is earned. It is not an inalienable right bestowed upon an individual at birth. Throughout our lives we must earn the respect of those around us to be successful. Grant it, earning peoples’ respect is not an easy task. It takes hard work, honesty, integrity, and compassion.
Three of the most important qualities that define a successful team are mutual respect, cooperation, and communication amongst team members. Each student has the right to succeed unless the individual’s success comes at the expense of another team member (this means no talking while one of your peers is discussing something with the class) Each member of this team has the right to speak and voice his/her ideas and opinions as long as the voice is heard in an orderly manner (this means raise your hand).
Each member of the team will take responsibility for his/her actions. If you take responsibility for your successes you must also take responsibility for your failures. In other words, if you start to struggle in your studies seek ways to find help (i.e., speak to me for after school help, ask your friends, enlist parental assistance, etc.).
To earn my respect, you must arrive at school on time and come to class organized with all your materials for the day. You must show effort in all of your assignments and be an active member in class by participating (i.e., working in co-operative groups, asking questions, etc.). You must turn your work in on time and the work you turn in must be well thought out, organized, and well written. You must treat teachers, yourself and your classmates with respect and consideration
As your teacher, I promise to work hard to ensure that your time spent in my class is optimized. I will try to make the subjects interesting by relating them to your own lives. I promise to be consistent and fair with each of you. I want each of you to succeed! If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by e-mail or phone.