To align with The Volusia Mom’s mission of being a positive + resourceful source of information for parents in Volusia County, I thought it would be fun to ask a series of questions to our Volusia County teachers on a regular basis.
If you are a teacher in Volusia County who would like to offer your thoughts as a part of The Volusia Mom Teacher Collective, please click here and I will add you to the list! You can remain anonymous, if you choose!
Thank you to the following teachers for your thoughts this month!
Mindi Phelps,7th grade ELA Hinson Middle School
Scarlett Hayes, 2nd grade at Pine Trail Elementary
Katherine Grindle, Academic Coach at Pine Trail
Meri Albert, Gifted Science Grades 2-5 Pine Trail Elementary
Jenna Pender, 4th grade gifted at Tomoka
Dixie Scudiero, Intensive Reading at Hinson Middle School
Stacy Sampson, Kindergarten Pathways
Nora Patey, Fourth Grade at Palm Terrace Elementary School
Teacher, Palm Terrace
Teacher, Pine Trail Elementary
Teacher, Ormond Beach Middle
(their responses are in quotes)
As the School Year comes to a close, what is the one thing you would want your students to know or remember?
Ms. Phelps
How much they’ve grown as a student through their writing or reading. Also any meaningful conversations we have had over the year.
Mrs. Hayes
They are loved and have a safe place at school.
Ms. Grindle
That I believed in them and their potential.
Ms. Albert
Science is fun!
Mrs. Pender
Mistakes are not failure. Always be accountable for your actions. Be the best version of yourself.
Mrs. Scudiero
I would want them to remember that teachers are every bit as excited about summer as they are, but we have learning that we still need to do. We can’t just phone it in once FSA testing starts; grades are still being given, tardies still count, and rules still apply.
Mrs. Sampson
That I love each and everyone of them!
Ms. Patey
As the school year comes to an end, I would like my students to remember their coping and problem solving skills. We have learned a variety of independent functioning skills throughout the year. During the summer, if you are bored, READ. Use your time wisely, and remember that practice makes proficient. To be a better reader, you must read. To be a better mathematician, practice mathematics skills.
What are some things you would love your parents and/or students to do over the summer to prepare for next school year?
There is a great resounding theme here!
Ms. Phelps
Find passions that can be brought into the classroom to enrich their learning. Volunteer somewhere over the summer and think of ways that they can add to a positive school environment.
Mrs. Hayes
Read!!!! Read aloud to your children, have them read aloud to you. Every. Single. Day.
Ms. Grindle
Read, read and read some more!
Ms. Albert
Read, enjoy family, and explore the world around you!
Mrs. Pender
Continue to read a little bit everyday.
Practice your multiplication facts so they stay fresh in your mind.
If writing is not your favorite practice by keeping a journal. Write stories and describe your days.
Mrs. Scudiero
Read every day!
Mrs. Sampson
Read Read Read!
Ms. Patey
In order to prepare for next school year, students need to be reading! Parents, please take the opportunity to visit the library and check out some books. There are a variety of reward and incentive programs offered through the schools for summer reading. Reading provides so much enrichment that will enhance students’ English Language Arts skills for years to come.
What is a question that you wish you could answer for parents and students as they start their summer? And what would your answer be?
Mrs. Hayes
What can we do over the summer to not fall behind?
Read! Lol. Even if you spend ten minutes a day working on things we did this year, math problems etc and twenty minutes a day reading, it will help so much!
Ms. Grindle
Is it important to keep skills sharp over the summer?
My answer would be absolutely, keep the positive momentum going! Weave it into your child’s interests and summer activities. Learning should have be fun, interactive and ongoing!
Mrs. Pender
How can I keep my child interested in doing summer bridge work?
Motivation by incentives are a great place to start. Sit down with your child and discuss what would be good examples of rewards for him/her. Work out a system around these incentives. Some examples may include staying up an extra 30 minutes or having family game night or having your child pick what you have for dinner etc.
Ms. Patey
The schools within Volusia County offer a variety of summer academic enrichment programs: science camps, summer school, etc. Please look into these programs at your child’s school in order to provide them with continued academic support.
The Volusia Mom is a positive + resourceful network for Volusia County parents.
