Dear Parents:
My name is Mr. Jonathan Potter and I will be one of your child’s teachers this year. Since I will be spending forty-five minutes with your child every day, I thought it appropriate to tell you a few things about myself, both personally and professionally.
I am beginning my twelfth year of teaching – all of them have been spent in the North Iowa district. Prior to teaching I attended Luther College, where I received my B.A. in History and competed in track and cross country. I completed my Masters in Education through Olivet-Nazarene in 2007. Some of the extra-curricular activities I’m in charge of are the National Honor Society, quiz bowl, varsity boys and girls cross country, and varsity boys and girls track and field. My wife Carrie, son Jackson, daughter Isla, and I live in Buffalo Center.
Teaching is my passion. My responsibility as an educator is to facilitate your child in attaining his or her full potential. This is a challenging endeavor – and it requires the assistance of parents. I hold the students to high standards – and will do all I can to help him or her meet those expectations. Your positive involvement is necessary for the educational success of your child.
My teaching philosophy is this: I teach more than social studies. I teach young people. In my classroom, along with the raw knowledge gained through books and activities we learn how to become life-long learners – because true education never stops. Only through constant development can we grow to meet life’s increasingly complex challenges. I expect cooperation and respect from your child – in return, I will treat each child - your child, with respect and grade them impartially.
Since your involvement is key to the success of your child I have included a link to my assignment page, which is kept online, on the side and top of the page. This is updated weekly with the lessons and assignments that we will be carrying out through the week. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact me via phone or e-mail. Your child’s success is important to me. I look forward to an exciting and productive year.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Potter
potter@northiowa.org (e-mail address)