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 email me at darlynn@littleblogdress.com 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!
Jenna Pender, 4th grade gifted at Tomoka Elementary
Angela Johnson, 4th Grade Spruce Creek Elementary
Dixie Scudiero, Intensive Reading at Hinson Middle School
Stacy Sampson, Kindergarten Pathways Elementary
Vanessa Emers, 3rd Grade Spruce Creek Elementary
What is one piece of advice you would give students at the start of the school year?
Mrs. Sampson Be yourself!
Mrs. Johnson Take time meeting the new kids in your class, as one of them may become a life-long friend.
Mrs. Pender This year is only hard if you make it hard. Stay on your daily reading and remember that you are the reason I am here.
Mrs. Emers Be confident in all you do!
Mrs. Scudiero Just breathe! Teachers are there to help you, if you need it. I know it can be overwhelming now, but you’ll be cruising through this new year before you know it!
What is one piece advice you would give parents at the start of the school year?
Mrs. Sampson Get involved in your child’s school! Join PTA
Mrs. Johnson Please make sure to check your child’s daily folder/backpack on a daily basis. Often times, homework and other important papers get lost in the shuffle.
Mrs. Pender Mistakes are going to happen. That is how we learn. Working collaboratively will create a positive experience for your child.
Mrs. Emers Trust your child and your teacher.
Mrs. Scudiero Please, please, please try to get/keep your child reading every day! I always tell my struggling readers that the best thing they can do to become a better reader is to read more. It will help them through all of their subject areas.
If there is one thing you would LOVE for your students to bring at the beginning of the school year?
ABC Gift Card! Lol!
Dollar tree gift cards, Lysol wipes and chocolate for the teacher.
Their supplies and a great attitude!
Copy paper! There is always a shortage of this in the grades outside of elementary.
If this is a transition year (new to kindergarten, middle school, high school), what is the ONE thing the PARENT needs to know?
Mrs. Sampson Work with your child’s teacher! Stay positive and your child will also!
Mrs. Johnson The starting and end times of the school day, and the school’s policies in general.
Mrs. Pender Embrace the change with a positive and supportive mindset
Mrs. Scudiero Middle school has a bad rap! It’s not as terrifying as people make it out to be. The students figure out very quickly where buildings are and how to transition through teachers.
If this is a transition year (new to kindergarten, middle school, high school), what is the ONE thing the STUDENT needs to know?
Mrs. Sampson Your teacher is here to help, don’t be afraid. We WANT To HELP
Mrs. Pender Your teacher is here to help, don’t be afraid. We WANT To HELP
Mrs. Johnson K= Listen to your teacher and have fun!
Middle/High= When you get your schedule, plan out your route to all of your classes using a school map ahead of time.
Mrs. Scudiero I’ll have my son, George, with me at Hinson this year, and I keep telling him the older kids are going to be just as nervous about the first few days as the 6th graders!
The Volusia Mom is a positive + resourceful network for Volusia County parents.
