WELCOME PARENTS

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1 st Year at B.I.S.D
Experience: 13 th year teaching; 8 th year teaching
AP
Graduate of the University of Arkansas, 1995
Currently working on Masters in Educational
Leadership at Lamar University
Married, Wife Sami Jo
– Sami is a 5 th grade teacher at Leon Springs
Elementary.
– Father of twins; Lauren and Samuel, 8

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Formerly from West Brook H.S. in Beaumont,
Texas.
– Taught APUSH and AP World History for five years.
– U.I.L. Current Events and Issues Coach- 4 straight district championships & regional qualifications
– Close Up Coordinator- Responsible for bringing students to Washington, D.C. as part of the Close Up program
– 11 th Grade U.S. History lead teacher for the district – rewrote the curriculum for 11 th grade U.S. history for three high schools and provided staff development for district U.S. history teachers

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Before West Brook I taught at West
Orange-Stark High
School in Orange,
Texas for seven years.
– I taught AP U.S. and
World History for three years.

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2001 Teacher of the Year- West Orange-Stark High
School
2002 Texas A&M Former Students Association Teacher of the Year- Runner-up
2002 Fellow- Teaching American History Academy at
Sam Houston State
2002- Co-published The Dilemma Approach to Mastering
TAKS
2003 Texas A&M Former Students Association Teacher of the Year
2003 Woodmen of the World Award for Excellence in
Teaching American History
2005 Teacher of the Year – West Brook High School

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WEST ORANGE-STARK HIGH SCHOOL
 89% Economically Disadvantaged
 2000- 56% (3,4, & 5’s) First year
 2001- 73% (3,4, & 5’s)
WEST BROOK HIGH SCHOOL
 56% Economically disadvantaged
 Averaged 82% passing rate over five years.
 2007- 86% (3,4,5’s)
COLLEGE BOARD SYLLABUS AUDIT
 Syllabus was approved by College Board in March of 2007.

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The transition from Mrs. D’Spain to Mr.
Gillette will be smooth.
– WHY?
 I will maintain the same grading policies and classroom procedures used by Mrs. D’Spain.
 I will maintain the same high expectations for all students.
 I will work to preserve the high integrity of the
APUSH program built by Mrs. D’Spain
 I will put the concerns and performance of the students first. Their success is my first priority.

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All assignments, quizzes, and exams are formatted to increase each student’s effectiveness on the AP Exam.
Common assessments:
– Graded Discussions and Socratic Seminars
– Free-Response Essays & Document-Based Essays
(DBQ’s). A minimum of three will be assigned each 9 week period.
– Chapter quizzes
– Unit Exams
– Major projects - Novel & Trial Project (Post AP Exam)
– Review-oriented reinforcements

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The notecard assignment used by Ashlie
D’Spain will be continued. Within the
APUSH curriculum, this assignment is standard.
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Due the last Monday of the nine week grading period.

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Each student must participate in class discussions, group activities, Socratic seminars, and debates.
Each student may be required to conduct research-related projects outside of class each semester.
Students will consistently be assigned reading assignments. A calendar will be distributed to all parents showing all reading assignments.

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Due to the rigorous nature of the coursework, students must make every effort to attend class. Students that miss will responsible for all miss assignments, readings, and notes.
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Tutorials will be held every morning from
7:50 – 8:30.
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Saturday seminars will be held as needed.
They will last from 8:00 – 10:00.
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The reality is that for some students, more time is needed outside the normal class. I will accommodate them when necessary.

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Retests will be administered on the last
Monday of each nine weeks. They will take place at 7:00 a.m. and will be all essay.

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PENALTIES FOR LATE WORK
– ONE DAY
– TWO DAYS
-30
-50
– MORE THAN 2 DAYS ZERO

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I WILL BE PREPARED.
I WILL COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS.
I WILL PRESENT ALL CONTENT IN A
MEANINGFUL MANNER.
I WILL DEMAND NOTHING BUT THE BEST
FROM YOUR CHILD.
I WILL TEACH THIS COURSE ACCORDING TO
THE STANDARDS OF COLLEGE BOARD.
I WILL HOLD YOUR CHILD TO THE HIGHEST
STANDARD OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

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BE IN CLASS
BE PREPARED EVERY DAY
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MATERIAL
ATTEND TUTORIALS IF NECESSARY
COMMUNICATE NEEDS OR PROBLEMS
WITH TEACHER
PARTICIPATE IN CLASS
SCORE WELL ON THE AP EXAM!!

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HOLD CHILD ACCOUNTABLE FOR
ACTIONS
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COMMUNICATE NEEDS OR CONCERNS
WITH TEACHER
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PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR CHILD

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You can contact me at (409) 498-1377 between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm.
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I’m looking forward to a successful spring semester.