Dear Parents and/or Guardians of Room 324,
Welcome back to Disney! I am thrilled at the opportunity to get to know you, and I am looking forward to a positive and productive year. My name is Katie Kinder, and this is my third school year at Disney. I have my BS in Elementary Education from Indiana University, and previous to teaching in CPS, I taught junior high grammar and writing in Indiana for two years. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and dreamed of being a teacher since I could read and write. I feel truly blessed to be living out my dream every day at Disney.
My personal experiences contribute to my philosophy of teaching today in that the most meaningful learning takes place when students are motivated and interested. It is my belief that the way to achieve this is by giving students a voice in the learning process, and by assisting them in finding connections in the curriculum with their own life and interests. By allowing students to bring their own stories, experiences, and ideas into the classroom, this provides the students with opportunities to work together, to learn from each other, and respect each others’ differences. I would like for my students to think of learning as a “want to” instead of a “have to.”
I am a firm believer that the teaching process involves many elements – YOU being an essential part of this progression. I believe that the teachers and parents must work hand-in-hand in order for the student to achieve the greatest level of achievement. I realize that teaching your child is a tremendous responsibility that I take very seriously. However, I cannot do this without your interaction and follow-up at home. I hope to maintain open lines of communication to ensure the success of our goal. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. The easiest and most efficient mode of communication for me is via email (katie.marie.kinder@gmail.com), but also feel free to send in written notes, schedule a conference, or call me at the school number.
I will be sending home some forms for you to fill out. Please send them back as soon as possible (the first homeroom to have them all completed and returned gets a prize!). Some of these forms will be a way for me to understand your child’s strengths and target areas in the first few weeks.
I want to thank you in advance for your participation and commitment to your child’s academic excellence. I look forward to meeting you in the very near future.
Sincerely,
Ms. Katie Kinder
katie.marie.kinder@gmail.com
A good teacher is like a candle - consuming itself to light the way for others.
