My 5 W’s By Garrett McWeeney

Meet Me My name is Garrett McWeeney. I am a graduate from the University of Rhode Island. I have had the idea that I would like to teach buried in my subconscious for a long time. Soon after taking education classes during my freshman year I realized that this was the profession for me. My mother was a teacher as well so I feel the career is in my blood. A quote I try to live by is from the great Walt Whitman “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will always fall behind you. I have always really liked the English subject and feel it is the most enjoyable subject to teach.

About Me I was raised in Cranston, Rhode Island and attended Cranston West High School Growing up I played volleyball and basketball and am an avid basketball, hockey, football and baseball fan. I consider myself to be a very outgoing and approachable person. I am pretty easygoing and approachable guy. I’ve been working with children since I was a Freshman in college whether it be through summer camps, or observing in middle and high schools. No matter the experience I have truly enjoyed working to further develop and educate young minds. I have always felt like working with children isn’t a job but more of a privilege, and there is no better feeling than connecting with a student and seeing the moment of realization when they learn. If you have any questions about your child, my classroom or anything relating to school I urge you not to hesitate to contact me.

Random Facts About Me I was once interviewed for the news: I am a fan of the San Diego Chargers. I love going to concerts. I enjoy reading in my spare time. Pauly D was lucky enough to meet me: I once was in the same shopping mall as Bill Clinton. I have worked at Shaw’s Supermarket for 5 years and at CCRI Kid’s College for 3.

My Philosophy In teaching there are 5 main approaches to teaching that most teachers associate with. Those approaches are: Humanistic, Folkloric, Behavioristic, Managerial, and Authoritative. My personal teaching approach is a sort of melting pot of these techniques but mainly Authoritative. The main ideas behind the Authoritative approach is to communicate, enforce, and teach and focus on establishing order in the classroom.

My Philosophy (Con’t). Pillaring around the Authoritative approach means I must establish order and communicate the roles students have in the classroom. This does not mean my class is a dictatorship at all, which is what you may be thinking, but I feel as the teacher it must be clear I have the final say and control over classroom activities and happenings. I frequently ask for student input and like to make students feel involved in classroom decisions and events. I also like to sometimes try new approaches and presentations to methods (Folkloric approach) in my class so the students don’t get tired of the same old song and dance from me and are at maximum attention in the classroom. Some of these methods are: lecturing, station to station work, group work, think alouds, and utilizing the board plus much more!

Classroom Rules Everyone in the classroom respects each other and follows the golden rule. Students are to raise their hands when answering a question. Cheating will not be taken lightly and offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Anyone who has to be spoken to continuously in class will receive a teacher detention. When students enter the classroom they are to take their seats and begin the opening assignment written on the board. Homework is to be done at home and will be checked daily. Class is a place to learn and have fun, I was recently a student myself so I haven’t forgotten about that last part. But don’t take it upon yourself to add that element to the classroom.

In closing I am Mr. M and I urge you once again to contact me with any questions or concerns that you have regarding your child or my class. I hope you enjoyed this presentation and now have a better understanding of your child’s 8th grade English Class.