Hello Quail Valley!

Here's a Thought

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
Seneca
1st Century Roman Philosopher

It is a pleasure and a thrill for me to become a member of the Quail Valley faculty. I look forward to having a wonderful time teaching all of your great kids. I have been fortunate to teach at two excellent middle schools in Fort Bend, and now I have the opportunity to teach at this wonderful G-T Academy.

Some (not so bad) Thoughts and Comments about Me from Parents
Posted by DTS (admin) on Jun 17 2008
Welcome >>

I know it is difficult when a new teacher joins a faculty. Parents and students quite naturally have a number of concerns. "What kind of person is this?" "Is he a good teacher?" "Does he relate well with kids?" "Will my child learn what she needs to learn?"Well, the list of questions can go on and on.

Just telling you I am a pretty good teacher will not exactly give you the assurance and peace-of-mind you want and need. So I thought it would be good to share with you some comments I have received from parents in the past. Perhaps reading these comments will allow you to relax a bit about what you and your student can expect. I hope so.

• • Dear Mr. Simmons,
    I wanted to congratulate you on your new job next year. Although I understand the move, I am very sad to see you leave. It has been so easy for me to teach your students because they come to me with such a good foundation. I know that I will notice your absence in a year. Your students mention your name frequently and tell many stories about you. You are really loved and appreciated by your former students. Please pass on your ideas and methods to other 8th grade Algebra teachers. They can learn much from you. I wish you well in your new position.  
     
• I've told you this before, but it bears repeating. You have touched my family like no other teacher. It breaks my heart that you won't be there for our youngest. I'm happy for the opportunity that the position at QV will offer you, yet sad that SMS didn't fight more to retain the incredible gift they had in you. [My son] told me yesterday that you were leaving. I wish you the best and hope you always remember how grateful we are to you. BTW our oldest son got a 99 average in his honors algebra 2 class... You did a great job teaching him algebra , but more importantly how to be a better student.
   
• I have no words to thank you for all the help you have extended to my daughter in teaching her the fundamentals of Algebra. Needless to say she has learnt a lot. I have to accept that she got to learn from a great teacher. Me & my wife wish you all the best in the new job.
   
• Mr. Simmons: Thanks for all your help in teaching our children during your tenure at SMS. Our daughter has just gone through your algebra course and it was definitely her favorite subject. Our older daughters (twins) took your algebra course 4-5 years ago and they still remember it as one of their favorites. Thanks again for all your great teaching while at SMS and best of luck with your new beginning.

• [My daughter] has sure enjoyed your class this year. She was fortunate to have you as a teacher...having taught her to love the subject. Thank you so much.
   
• It was a challenging year for [our son], but somehow he made it through. It was his most diffcult class yet the one he loved the most. He will probably remember you for the rest of his life, because with you he learned how to study, that there are no short cuts (you know it or you don't), he learned to believe in himself, and he never gave up (even though I did several times). Thank you Mr.Simmons. My son and I will truly miss you!
   
• As a mom who was very fortunate to have you teach her three oldest children, I thank you as do [all of the kids] for giving each of them a love for math and a strong start to their HS math. As a teacher at Travis HS, I and my colleagues will feel the loss.  In a few years we will not be able to say to our students “you must have had Mr. Simmons because you are so well prepared.” Best of luck at Quail Valley – they are very fortunate to get you.
   
• We were so sorry to hear about your decision of leaving Sartartia. You have been a fabulous teacher and we heard about you a whole lot more than any other teacher from my daugher. You truly care about students and keep them interested and challenged at the same time! [Our daughter] had wonderful learning experience in your class and enjoyed it very much. She signed up MathCounts as one of her elective classes knowing you would be the teacher for next semester, and wanted to switch to another once she learned that you are leaving...  Wanted to say THANK YOU so very much for being a wonderful teacher as you are. I am sure you have all good reasons for the decision you made and wish you the very best. You will sure be dearly missed by all your students here!
   
• Thank you Mr. Simmons. My daughter has learned much from you and has benefitted greatly from her time in your class. Good luck to you in your next assignment. The kids at Quail Valley GT Academy are fortunate to have you headed their way.
   
• Dear Sir,
  My son really enjoyed being in your class and his love for Math has grown with your guidance. My family and I  wish you all the best and hope that your new students will enjoy having you as much my son did.
   
• I can not say enough "Thanks" to you, you have been a great teacher and a guidance to my son. He talks about the fun he had in his math class all the time at home. When he 1st started Algebra, I was not sure if he could handle it. Remember I was trying to find a outside tutor. But your encouragement, guidance and your patience, brought him through the year successfully, You were right, he did not need a tutor. You are his best tutor. I wish you the best luck in your new school… we will miss you.
   
• Mr. Simmons--Thank you for a great year.  [Our daughter] really enjoyed your class and I feel now has a good base for HS math.
   
• Dear Teacher Simmons
  I am more than please to have you teach my kid his first steps into the world of these numbers, and have them play with them.
  For the little we talk about it, he definitively enjoyed your class and has learned a lot. More than one time, me and my wife, both Engineers, struggled with him……so you did not only played with them but also with their parents. We learned many methods from Europe, Russia, and America, but it was fun helping them to get there, to the same answer. Best of luck to you in the future.
   
• Mr. Simmons,
  I am ______'s Mom.  Over the past year, I kept hearing about you from her.  I think this is the first year, she truely feels she enjoyed her math class.  I want to thank you for that. Best wishes for you.
   
• Thanks, again, for teaching [my son]. He sincerely enjoyed your class - and you as a teacher. I asked him this morning as I was driving him to SMS for the last time, "Throughout your 3 years at SMS, who was your hardest teacher and who was your best teacher?". He responded, Mr. Simmons, to both questions. That's quite the compliment! You are appreciated and I'm certain that [he] will not forget you.
   
• Thank you for providing [our daughter] with a supreme learning experience.  She started off the year a bit in awe of Algebra and would seek help almost daily with her homework.  As the year progressed she started to do more and more on her own and has not sought any assistance at all over the last couple of months.  That is clearly a testament of the skills that you helped her to develop and for that we are grateful.  She put in a lot of hard work and long hours and she now knows that it was a worthwhile effort. We are saddened to hear that you are moving on to the Quail Valley Gifted & Talented Academy.   Our son will be attending Sartartia next year as a sixth grader.  We were hoping that he would have an opportunity to learn from you as well.  He had an opportunity to attend the QVGTA, but chose to attend school close to home.  Hopefully, [our daughter] will be able to pass on some of the lessons that she learned from your class
   
• Thank you for all your help to [our son]. He enjoyed you being his teacher; you are an excellent teacher and have inspired him to learn with an open and positive mind. We appreciate all your hard work, it’s meant so much to him. Good luck with your new endeavor. 
   
• Good Luck with your future endeavors. [our daughter] can't stop talking about what a wonderful teacher you have been and how much she has learned from you. I hope she finds more great teachers like you in the future.
   
• Thank you so much for being such a wonderful algebra teacher.  Quail Valley is extremely lucky to have you on their teaching staff.  Both my sons have had the fortune of having you as their Algebra teacher.  You have given them both such strong foundation as they continue their math courses in high school.  You will be sorely missed at Sartartia.  We wish you the best in your new position.
   
• You are great teacher! I luckily have had you teach both my children -- first my daughter and now my son. They will not forget you. [Our daughter] still talks about things in your class. We wish you the greatest luck in your new position.

• It seems like the year has just begun and now it’s over.  It’s been an interesting ride, all things considered.  Thank you for believing in [our daughter].  Thanks also for being able to recognize teen behavior and for dealing with it - and ‘its’ parents!  And thanks for being approachable.  I know [our daughter] has enjoyed her year with you even though it has been hard work.  I feel confident you have given her a good foundation and I know she is a better person for sticking with you and your class. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.  Quail Valley is lucky to have you.

• Thanks to you for being such a wonderful teacher !!!!  I can not describe in words how much [our son] enjoyed your class. As you said, just learning algebra was not important but learning how to apply algebra in real life situations and in problem solving is important. And thanks a lot for teaching algebra that way. [He] especially liked your Friday problems when he had to stretch his mind to find a solution. Once again, thanks a lot and we really appreciate your efforts.

• There is certainly going to be a big loss at Sartartia next year with your move to Quail Valley We've been most impressed with your teaching of Algebra and care for the students.  I'm glad that [our daughter] has placed much more emphasis at home on algebra and engaged in understanding concepts rather than just memorization.  You are certainly having a positive impact on her! Thank you again for the wonderful teaching of the subject and for helping instill in [our daughter] more interest/appreciation for math.  

• We want to let you know how much we appreciate the work you did with [our daughter] this year.  You definitely challenged and encouraged her to do and be her best.

• Thank you for making math fun for [our daughter].  We were very nervous at the beginning of the year when she wasn’t quite figuring out what she needed to do.  She stuck with it and now I am very grateful that she was in your class.  As a teacher, I know how hard it is to relate to your students and make a difficult subject more relevant to the kids.  Thank you for a great year!
   
• Best of luck to you in your new setting.  You have been a tremendous assest to Sartartia.  Our son, even with his struggles, has enjoyed algebra.  Not once did he ever complain or want to give up.  That is in his nature but it is also due to you.
   
• Good Luck with your future endeavors. Our daughter can't stop talking about what a wonderful teacher you have been and how much she has learned from you. I hope she finds more great teachers like you in the future.
   
• Thanks so much.  I am sorry to see you leave, but I agree, it is a great opportunity!  Good luck and thanks again for being such a great teacher for [our daughter].
   
• We are so sorry you are leaving SMS. You've been fantastic! [Our son] really enjoyed you. He feels great about making an A in your class! We were looking forward to his brother having you next year so we're doubly sorry. We wish you the best. Thank you for all you've done for [our son] and for all the kids before him.

• Thank you for your nice teaching. I have really enjoyed having you as my son’s teacher. You are an asset to this community and Sartartia.
   
• What an exciting opportunity. I can’t go as far as to say that [my child] has ‘enjoyed’ her Algebra class, but I know that she has a good foundation for the classes to come.  I thank you for all your efforts. I could only have wished that the 9th grade Geometry students I taught had had you for an 8th grade teacher.  I know that she is ready for  high school and will be successful as she enters her mathematics challenges in the years to come.
   
• On behalf of [my wife] and myself, I want to thank you so much for all you've done to help [our son] "get" Algebra.  You have inspired him to do more than he thought he could do.

• We want to express our appreciation for all that you have done during the year. Your dedication and utmost interest in drilling the basic principles of algebra has I am sure kindled the students interest in Math in an extraordinary manner.  I myself looked forward to your Friday problems and many times there was a competition between [my son] and me on who would solve it faster.  We also particularly enjoyed browsing your website and also your innovative teaching methods that included solving practical problems of use in everyday life using PowerPoint slides, web based assignments etc.  We will miss you but will keep up with happenings in your class.

• Thank you Mr. Simmons for all the extra hours spent tutoring [our son].  It was such a blessing for him to get one-on-one time with you.  It all was worth it when his older brother came downstairs after working with him and said emphatically, “I really think he’s getting it!”

• I just wanted to send you a note of thanks.  [Our son] has really enjoyed your class this year.  I could tell he looked forward to the Friday problems, because he saw them as a challenge.  He definitely felt challenged in your class, which I also think gave him a sense of confidence and accomplishment.

• Thank you for all you've done for us this year.  [My son] and I learned a lot.  I feel that he will be very ready for next year's Geometry. It's a tough job you have, and thank you again and being here at Sartartia.  I'm looking forward to my daughter taking your class.

• You have an excellent way of initiating a process—embracing the people involved, setting the parameters, creating the vision.  Then you take the journey—communicating, stimulating, negotiating, providing the knowledge and the constructs for success.  And finally, as your email attests, you understand the need for an exit strategy—drawing together the thing that is finished, capping your moments, saying move on.  Thank you for an extraordinary year of excellent communication, broad application, and the kind of inspiration that can only come from someone like you.

• Mr. Simmons -- I would like to thank you for being the great teacher that you are.  My daughter has thoroughly enjoyed your class and you as a teacher (as well as my son, who had you 3 years ago).  Thanks for making learning so much fun for our kids!  Have a great summer!!

• I want to thank you for everything you did for [our daughter] this year.  I have to admit that Algebra was a bit of a struggle for [her], but with your patience and support she was able to learn and succeed in your class.  She already told me that she will miss you!  You are an excellent teacher and friend to the kiddos!  [She] enjoyed your class and your personality! Also, your newsletter was very helpful to us parents to keep us informed. And your website with all of its contents is a great tool for the students and parents.  With the help of your website and my cell phone, I was able to help [my daughter] with algebra even when I was away from home on business trips!.  I commend you on your efforts!  Have a great summer!

• Thank you for such a great year!

• I really appreciate all your time and teaching this year.  You know your child had a great year when you hear them telling other kids about what a great teacher you are!  It really says a lot about you!

• It is hard to believe that [our son’s] eighth grade year is at an end, and with it algebra.  At times it has seemed that algebra was almost the only class [he] was taking.  He put all of himself into the effort to understand the subject and could never have gotten as far as he did without your many hours of assistance. [He] has told you how much he appreciated you and your class and his father and I join in that appreciation.  In addition, I believe that despite all of the hard work and because of your teaching and commitment to your students, [he] will consider "Mr. Simmons' Algebra Class" one of the best of his academic career. Thank you for pointing our son down the road to increased excitement and competence in all academic disciplines.

• You are too awesome. Thank you so much.

• Just a quick note to thank you for all you have done this year. [Our son] has really enjoyed having you as a teacher and we know you have prepared him well for the next adventure.

• Mr. Simmons, thank you so much for being you!  You are a wonderful teacher, and I hope to continue our relationship with [our daughter] next year!  Thanks, again!

• Thank you Mr. Simmons. [Our son] really enjoyed your class…

• I just wanted to say thank you for working with [our son] this year as he made his way through Algebra. I also wanted to tell you that when [our son] talks about you he always mentions how  much school spirit you have…that is a rare. Thanks for making a difference in my son’s life this year. Have a great summer

• Thank you so much for being such an awesome teacher!  [Our daughter] has really enjoyed your class and have no doubt she learned a lot.  On several occasions she has said you were her favorite teacher.  Hearing her say that just made me think what an amazing person you must be because she is saying this despite all of  the hours of homework, difficulty of the class, and having to go to countless tutorials. Thank you for the great year! 

• Thank you so much for the great job you do with the Algebra students.  It was my son's first try at more challenging problems and out of the box thinking.....and I am so glad you gave him the opportunity.

• Thank you!  You're the best!

Last changed: Jun 08 2009 at 9:38 PM