T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 4, 2 0 1 6

Introduction Letter to Parents

Dear Parent or Guardian,
I am writing you to express my immense joy to be working with your child this
year. To give you a little more insight about myself, I am a recent graduate from
Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in History Secondary
Education. I have interned in a multitude of classrooms ranging from a Title I
middle school to a senior AP Economics course. I absolutely adore everything
regarding history and will try my very best to instill at least a little bit of that
passion in your student.
This year we are going to be covering U.S. History, from its beginnings to
present. We will be discussing current issues/events, learning and seeing what
has/hasnt worked for our country, and everything in between. My goal is to
integrate innovative ideas to keep your child engaged and excited. They will learn
to defend their opinions with solidified proof, and constructively criticize the
actions of others. This will not be your average, run of the mill lecture style
history class. The students will be looking at primary documents, participating in
simulations, and having who class discussions.
I want your student to come in with an as open mind as possible and be prepared
to learn and absorb as much information as they can. I want them to feel
comfortable within my classroom to ask as many questions as they deem
necessary. As a parent, I welcome any and all questions or concerns throughout
the course. Additional information about this class will be provided in the syllabus
your student has received as well as on my classroom website. My hope is for
you to support your children as well as me as their educator. I want us have a
cordial and transparent relationship to ensure the best learning environment for
your student.
Feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns; as well as
set up phone calls or meetings with me. To schedule an appointment, send an
email to ashleypakenham@yahoo.com or call the school at
( 480 ) 535 5785. To submit questions, comments, or concerns; go to the
questions tab on our class website: http://ashleyrpakenham.weebly.com. I will
respond to these via email as soon as possible.
In closing, I am ecstatic to be working with your child in my classroom, and look
forward to a year of growth and exhilaration!
Best,
Ms. Ashley Pakenham

T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 4, 2 0 1 6

Introduction Letter to Principal

Dear Principal _________,
I would like to thank you for this opportunity and express my immeasurable
excitement about working in your school. I am very excited to be teaching
American History to your 8th graders and would like to introduce myself as well as
my goals for this school year.
I am a recent graduate from Arizona State University with a Bachelors degree in
History Secondary Education. I have interned in a multitude of classrooms
ranging from a Title I middle school to a senior AP Economics course. I have
worked in multiple jobs and have done numerous hours of volunteer work; both
which have given me opportunities to work with a wide array of adolescents.
My main goal is to construct the safest and most comfortable environment for my
students to learn in. I believe having a strong classroom community will provide
my students with a setting in which they feel comfortable to share, ask questions,
challenge, and absorb as much information as possible. I know history isnt the
most exciting content are for most students, but I have a strong ambition to instill
at least a little historical love in them.
I plan on using a wide array of innovative lessons and bring new ideas to the
classroom to help engage students. I want my students to always keep an open
mind, play devils advocate when they need one, and present thought-provoking
facts they never knew existed. I want to work with my fellow colleagues to
interconnect ideas to create cohesive learning for the students. My students will
use a variety of technology, recourses, and learning materials to catapult their
learning. Lastly, I will try to connect our lessons to the student or our present-day
lives; we will learn the similarities, differences, and everything in between.
I would love to meet with you to further discuss my plans and answer any
questions you might have. Feel free to contact me by email at
ashleypakenham@yahoo.com or by phone at (714) 600-5978.
I look forward to working with you, and thank you again for this amazing
opportunity.
Best,
Ashley Pakenham

T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 4, 2 0 1 6

Letter to Parent(s) Addressing Specific Issue:

To the Parent/Guardian of John Doe,
Hello!
My name is Miss Pakenham and I am John Does 8th grade American History
teacher here at Fees College Prep Middle School. John Doe has been a
pleasure to have in my classroom thus far, and is consistently participating during
our lessons.
However, while his participation inside the classroom is high, his homework has
been less then satisfactory. Out of the 7 homework assignments I have given the
class, John has turned in three of those assignments. He is missing the
American Revolution Worksheet, the Who Shot First? primary source
analysis, the Bell Work from 11/15, and the Propaganda worksheet. As stated in
the syllabus, homework will account for 25% of the final grade in my class. It is
also stated that if the homework is turned in a day late, the student has the
opportunity to earn up to an 80%. 50% credit will be given to any homework
assignment turned in more than a day late. I have reached out to John after his
1st missed assignment, 3rd, and again on our last assignment in which he did not
turn in. I want to see John succeed in my class, as I know he is fully capable of
doing. I also wanted to make you aware of the situation and see if we can come
up with a possible decision for this behavior.
I would like to set up a phone call or meeting with you to discuss this matter
further. I can provide you with a list of due dates for our homework, and have
write down these dates in a planner with John. I am willing to give him full credit
on two of his missed assignments and up to 75% on the rest; assuming he
completes them in their entirety and to the directions. This will be due to me on
October 1st.
I believe with a little push from both of us, John will not only excel in class, but
outside as well. Feel free to contact me at ashleypakenham@yahoo.com or call
the school at ( 480 ) 535 5785. Please sign this letter acknowledging that you
have received it, and have John return it to me as soon as possible.
Best,
Miss Pakenham
Parent/Guardian: _______________________________

John Doe: ____________________________________