Dear parents and students,
Greetings! My name is William Jones. I am Canadian. I have worked as a teacher and as a manager at many different schools in Thailand since 1994. I am licensed to teach in Thailand and Canada. I have two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (Highest Honours) in English with a Minor in History and a Bachelor of Education.
This year I am the Grade 6A homeroom teacher. I am also teaching Grade 6 English Language Arts and Social Studies. I intend to create a fun-and-friendly classroom environment that allows the students to learn and grow as responsible individuals. I will strongly encourage good study habits and classroom discipline. I take teaching very seriously and I expect my students to take learning seriously as well. I expect homework to be done. However, if there are any problems at all, I will let you know.
I will ask each student to fill in a STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET. I would ask that each student bring in a recent picture taken in the last six months. I will use this sheet to get to know the students as well as collect your contract information. If there are ever any major problems, I will be sure to contact you by email or mobile phone.
Please contact me at william@wells-blog.com if you have any questions or comments. In the title of your email, please make sure you write the name and nickname of your child as well as your child’s room number, e.g., Somchai/Ton Grade 6A. If you need to speak with me in person about your son or daughter, please request an interview via email and suggest a day and time. I will let you know by email if I am free or not. Unless I reply to your email to confirm a date and time, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to speak to you when you arrive.
You can also check out “Mr. William’s Blog” at www.wells-blog.com/william/ to view assigned homework, see pictures, and check my teaching plans. Students will also have the opportunity to chat with me and their fellow students about schoolwork by clicking on the link “Secondary Bulletin Board.” I would like to encourage parents of sick students to check my blog to see what your child has missed.
Please help me ensure that your child brings the following things to every class: an English-[native language] and [native language]-English dictionary, the red homework book, their relevant notebooks/textbooks, A4 lined paper and a plastic folder or file for both Social Studies and English Language Arts. Students should not throw out any of their work; they should keep their A4 papers in a plastic file or folder. This work will eventually be sorted into a portfolio.
If students finish their work early in my class, I would like them to read an English book that they have either bought or borrowed from the library. I also have an in-class library to choose from. Students may even read English comics in my class such as Archie Comics or a superhero comic. I want to encourage students to enjoy reading as much as possible.
I am excited about teaching your child and I am looking forward to meeting you sometime in the future. If students are having difficulties in class or do not understand something, please do not hesitate to ask me for help. I like to answer questions and help my students.
This is going to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Mr. William Jones, B.A., B.Ed.
