To all of my students,

Thank you so much for welcoming me into your school and your classrooms. My student
teaching experience has been wonderful. I have learned so much about myself and how I want to
teach from the fourth months here in Mr. Fox’s classroom.
Up until January, I still questioned my decision to major in History and Secondary
Education. I was not sold on the idea of being a teacher for the rest of my life. But by the end of
week one in Altoona, I knew I’d made the right decision.
To each of you who has smiled to me in the halls, welcomed me into conversation, or
engaged with me in class, thank you. I have learned more from you than I ever could have
taught you this semester. I now know how to teach real-life students, not just my fellow student-
teachers who I’ve been practicing on for the past three and a half years. For the most part, you
made me happy each day to be sharing information about topics I find important for each student
to learn. On the occasions where you made it difficult, I learned hard lessons on classroom
management and how to encourage positive behavior in the classroom.
I feel really prepared to move on and take on the challenge of my own classroom.
Though I probably won’t be back to Altoona Area High School in the future, I will think about
my first teaching experiences throughout the entirety of my career.
Despite my excitement for the future, for both myself and all of you, I am sad to leave
B215. We’ve shared a lot of laughs and learned a lot about each other. I feel as though the best
part about this assignment for me was forming relationships with my students. The first few
days here, I remember feeling weird having people refer to me as Miss Cav. It was not
something that had ever happened before. Now I love to hear you all calling me Miss Cav, as
you ask me questions in class or see me in the halls.
To my world history classes: thank you for trying to stay interested and engaged in topics
that can seem outdated and boring. I tried my best to make it fun and interesting, and though I
hated to hear your groan through notes, it made me realize that students don’t learn best by
staring at a screen and writing themselves to death. You forced me to be creative with my
lessons and make modern connections I normally wouldn’t have found. I will use that in every
classroom in the future.
To my anthropology classes: thank you for trying to see other points of view and
discussing your personal opinions with everyone else. We can only learn about others by first
appreciating their point of view, and at very least, listening to them. I realized also that some
classes can be fun. Making the civilizations were some of my favorite days – they are ones we
will both remember, because they caused us to all think outside of the box and get innovative, all
while working towards a goal.
To AP Gov: thank you for engaging in intelligent discussions, disagreeing with each
other, and realizing when it is okay to compromise. The world needs more people who think like
all of you, and who are willing to reach across the aisle. Take that with you wherever you go.
Also, thanks for your strange musical interests, if nothing else, you introduced me to some new
tunes!
My advice to all of you is to try to continue to learn. The world has so much to offer you,
and I know that many of you will move onto college. Take a few classes in topics not required
or related to your major. You will be better off because of those different experiences. To those
of you not going on to college: don’t worry, your time to learn has not come to an end! Read
different books, watch a documentary, take a local class about something. Our worlds do not get
enhanced by knowing only what we are required to know. Learn things you don’t need to know,
and share that information with others.
Again, thank you for welcoming me into your classroom. From the bottom of my heart, I
truly believe each and every one of you is capable of incredible things in your life. No matter
what it is, find your passion, and run with it. Set your goals and remember them. Good luck
with everything, and I hope to see you again sometime in the future!

Sincerely,
Miss Cav