Profile

My name is Mr. Timken but you may call me Mr. T. I am ready to start with everyone as we prepare for middle school during this pandemic. This will be my third year as the English teacher at DLHA. I was also a substitute teacher for various districts around Milwaukee. In 2017 I graduated from Carroll University with my major in Education and a minor in English. This year I hope to be able to continue a strong reading and writing mindset no matter where my students are at.

 One thing that I love to do is travel. I feel that it is important to understand the various cultures around the world and I take multiple opportunities to experience places outside of what I am used to.  Also, as many students may tell you, I absolutely love Star Wars.

What’s New

This year things will be starting off a little differently. We will be all virtual. What that means for us is that teachers, students, and families will be completing all our work on Google Classroom.  Google Classroom is a platform that allows us to feel as close to be in class as possible no matter where we are. Students can video chat in large group, small group, and individually to make sure they can continue to grow and learn. Parents will also have opportunities to be heavily involved by using information that helps them to stay informed with the new student learning platforms and gain an understanding of how these new changes will only strengthen our learning, not hinder it.  Please make sure that everyone checks into virtual learning whether it be the online assignments or virtual meetings.  We are all in this together so please reach out if any questions arise or if you are unsure of anything. I will always be there and willing to do anything I can to help alleviate any concerns.

Classroom Goal

Our goal this year will be to continue building our skills in various types of writing like narratives, informational, and argumentative writing pieces. The goal is to expand on our skills through practice and discussions with each other. For this to happen, students are expected to keep a journal and write in a structured fashion to stay organized and prepared each day.  Another big part of my class will involve reading regularly within and outside the classroom. Students will be given the chance to read each other’s writing to help others and themselves.  This can be seen in a daily journal and editing to reflect what skills we practiced. I genuinely believe that constantly reading our work and going over each other’s is the strongest way to become a more confident reader and writer.

Communication

Communication is going to be even more important this year to make sure that everyone has a successful year. At multiple points this year you will receive messages from me regarding a multitude of things that we will be doing in the class. If any questions arise or if you are unsure of something, please contact me and I will gladly help in any way I can.  Also, having consistent attendance virtually is crucial to help students meet their learning goals.  Finally, I firmly believe that reflection with yourself and each other will be a key component to practice and can help students grow as a learner. I plan to ask students to reflect from their work on virtual learning to make sure everyone is doing their best including myself. It will take all of us to help our students have an amazing year.

I am excited to meet everyone in this upcoming school year and working together as all of us continue to grow. I can be reached either by email at stimken@dlha.org or by calling me at 630-608-3522.

Sincerely,

                  Samuel Timken