Mr. Gonzalez's English Teaching Site

It is my belief that a student's duty is first and foremost to learn. That means that what they have learned is more important than the grade they earns. A student that earns an A may not have learned very much (though I certainly hope that is not the case), while a student that earns a C may have doubled their understanding of a particular concept. Students each begin and end at different points because they all have different experiences and different strengths.

 

My primary job is to help the student, in whatever way I can, achieve their goals using my content areas as a tool. I know that all my students will not become English teachers (unfortunately) or even necessarily people who love to read (though I will try my hardest to show students that reading is a gateway to new worlds and that it is something to be loved), but literature and language is not only reading, it is a way of connecting to different people with different ideas. It is about creating empathy and understanding. 

 

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In relation to parents and/or family members is to include you in the process as much as possible. I will send an email out every week with a tentative schedule of what the class will be doing, any readings assigned, and any tests that will be coming up. This should help in knowing where we are at, and if you would like to read with your child, or assist in any activities. You can get on the email list by 1) putting your email down on the syllabus your child brings home in the first week, OR 2) E-mail me at juan.m.gonzalez@wmich.edu and ask to be included.