Agnes, Teacher (Scribe in the House of Life)

First Assignment & Letter to My Students
    © January 16, 2012, A. Azzolino




Dear Student,

1.     Read the letter below and read the "Grading & Cheating Policy" linked through the home page for your course. Include in your letter of question 2 a sentence saying "I have read and understood the Grading Policy & Cheating Policy and the class policies outlined in the prof's letter."

2.     Write a letter to me to introduce yourself to me. Tell me who are you, what kinds of things you do when not in school, what role your family plays in your life and what impact this might have on your school work. Write about your math background. Talk about work and your other courses. You might even write about your commute. Tell me of your strengths, weaknesses, fears, and goals. Discuss how mathematics might play a role in your future. Tell me what I can do to help you achieve your goals for this class. Perhaps state where you sit in class and the color and length of your hair.

If your reply is not complete enough, the grade of "I ," for incomplete, will be assigned, you will only receive partial credit for the assignment and you will have to RESUBMIT your letter with additional information for full credit.

I have written a letter to (1) introduce myself to you, not as a model of your letter, but, so that you have some idea of who I am, and (2) to tell you something about class rules.

About Me

    This letter is how I've chosen to introduce myself to you.

3 THINGS ABOUT ME:
THREE NAMES I GO BY: 1. asquared 2. captain mom 3. agnes
THREE JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE: 1. mother 2. stage manager 3. waitress
THREE PLACES I WOULD LIKE TO GO: 1. Petra 2. Old Faithful 3. out to dinner
THREE PLACES I'VE BEEN: 1. Alaska 2. Colorado 3. London
THREE PLACES I HAVE LIVED: 1. Lodi, NJ 2. Budd Lake, NJ 3. Keyport, New Jersey
THREE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: 1. pizza 2. Indian food 3. salad w/balsamic vinegar
THREE JOBS I ENJOY: 1. being a mom 2. writing web pages 3. shoveling little snow storms
THREE JOBS I DON'T ENJOY: 1. grading poor test papers 2. driving home in traffic 3. raking leaves
THREE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: 1. staying under the blankets in the dark before getting up in the morning
2. playing with beads 3. the next broadway show i see or math meeting i go to
THREE THINGS IN MY PURSE/POCKET RIGHT NOW: 1. flashlight 2. thumb drive 3. camera
THREE MOMENTS I WILL TREASURE ALWAYS: 1. Hearing the "Jingle Bell Rock" with a saxophone soloist INSPIRING the entire orchestra
2. Learning of the 1997 Marlin Spike Award Winner
3. Being ASKED to apply for the AMATYC Teaching Excellence Award
About My Classes and Educational Philosophy

    I really enjoy teaching and try to make learning fun. I welcome you to ask questions in class and REQUIRE you to quietly discuss a math problem with other students once it is completed in class. I welcome you to come to my office to speak to me or even just to do homework.

math home

    My office phone number is 732-548-6000 x 3952 and it's in room BH200F in Billy Johnson Hall. My email is AAzzolino@middlesexcc.edu. My home phone number is 732-739-3951 . You may phone me at home or you may email me at home by using the message box on my semester web page. The class button (at the left), will link to the semester page. The page and my server will forward the message to me.

    Each class has a home page and graded assignments are required and are linked through the page.

    Algebra I students must be in the classroom before class begins and remain the entire class period. Once the door is closed no one is permitted to enter or leave the room.

    Algebra I students will take the final exam during the special final exam period AFTER the last day of class.

    Precalc students and Freshman Math students are required to take "perfect quizzes." Each is administered once in class. If a perfect paper is achieved, full credit is given for the quiz. If a perfect paper is not achieved, the student may come to my office to retake the quiz (at most one time a week) in an attempt to earn a perfect paper. If no perfect paper is achieved, no points are earned for that quiz.

    Precalc students are required to present a paper/project.

    All asssignments are to be handed in at the start of class. No assigment is to be handed in late.

    In this class, you will be talking and working with other students. One student called the class she took with me "the most user-friendly, interactive math class" she ever had. IF YOU ARE NOT AMIABLE TO ANY OF THE ABOVE CONCEPTS, DO NOT REMAIN IN THIS SECTION: SWITCH TO ANOTHER SECTION.

    It is your responsibility to learn the material. It is my responsibility to make the learning process as productive as possible. If you miss a class, check the course outline to determine what work you must do, read the material in the text, do the homework, phone if I can help or if I haven't seen you for a week. You don't need to phone or email me if you miss a class unless it's the day of a test. If you are just stuck on the homework or wish to discuss how you feel in class, phone or email me, or stop by my office.

    The pace of the course is determined by the math department's course outline. If you wish me to slow down, restate what I've just said, write it in symbols, write it in words, explain it in a different way, STOP ME and ask if I would do what you wish! I do have some flexibility in how the material is presented.

    Being a student is not an easy job. It is work. Plan time to attend class as well as time to work on the material outside class. If I can be of help, call me or see me in my office or after class.

    Have a good semester.


Other Announcements


Project Connections:    If you are a student with a learning disability and wish an accommodations or adaptive testing, please contact Project Connections, 732-906-2507, located in Johnson Learning Center, and provide me with the appropriate paperwork.

School Closing & Security:    If you have any questions or safety concerns, call the MCC Police Department at extension 2500 or call 911. To find out if school is closed use the weather phone number: 732-906-2555.

Tests     Tests are like job interviews made months in advance: Treat them as such. Don't miss a test. If you must miss a test, be sure I know about it as soon as you do. I don't permit makeup tests except in extreme cases so do not plan on taking a makeup for a test or exam you miss.

Electronic Equipment:     No cell phones, laptops, ..., are to be VISIBLE or IN USE on tests, during class, in the classroom, on desks, on laps, in hands, out of bags unless you are asked to use them by the prof. If yours is visible or used, you will be asked to LEAVE THE CLASS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY.

    If your phone rings, LET IT RING. DO NOT TOUCH IT. DO NOT ANSWER IT.

Enrollment in this Course:     Only students enrolled in this section and listed on the "Tenth Day Roster" are permitted to attend class and to complete graded assignments. Re-admission to this section requires an appropriate official paper document. Permission to replace a missed assignments is not guaranteed, but may be permitted. Judgement on missed assignments is made by the prof on an individual basis. I JUST DON'T GIVE MAKE UP TESTS.

Class Cancellation:    If you miss class or the class is cancelled, review the material on your own.





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