MS. LLANES' CLASS
THERE IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT UNFORCED BONDS; THE ENERGY IS REAL.
ABOUT ME
The Story Behind Your New Favorite Teacher
I may be overstepping when I assume that I will be your favorite teacher. I have confidence that I will be. After all, I teach the most fun subject in the world! To say the least, I am quite passionate about science. It's not a secret that people struggle with science. To be honest, I did too when I went to high school! With hard work and practice, I was able to learn and became a huge Chemistry nerd. With my passion, I hope to remove the stigma that comes with learning science.
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I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, but I am a proud Mexican woman. My mother was from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, so I spent time in both cities back and forth. I'm a HUGE animal lover. I am one of those people who stops to make sure I catch the dog/cat running across the street so he/she does not get run over. I keep them at home until I can find their owners. What can I say? I'm a sucker! I like to spend my free time visiting amusement parks. Roller coasters help me conquer my fear of heights.
When it came to higher education, I originally wanted to get my Bachelors in Chemistry from the University of Texas at El Paso. I became distracted with life and pursued the management field. Although I was successful, I realized that the times I felt fulfilled was when I was teaching someone. I decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I am currently in the process of acquiring my Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in Physical Science with an emphasis in Chemistry through the University of New Mexico. I expect to graduate and be teaching by August 2018.
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I am proud and excited to be teaching at Rio Grande High School for my Student Teaching this year. I hope to make it my home school. I have created this website to keep both students, parents, the community, and other teachers involved, knowledgeable, and engaged in everything about my class!
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MY GOALS AS A TEACHER
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN
My first goal is specific to content. I am determined to use my passion for science to remove the stigma of difficulty in the sciences and become the spark for today’s generation to pursue higher education, specifically in the field of science. I realize that not every student wants to pursue a science career, and that's okay! However, I want to motivate students to gain the confidence to achieve their dreams. My students will be able to do Chemistry and apply it to their every day life.
STUDENTS ARE MY PRIORITY!
While teaching my students the ins and outs of Chemistry are extremely important, I believe that creating a community is a key component. My goal is to create a community where students feel like they have a judgement free environment to learn. My students will be heard, valued, accepted, and challenged. So this isn't just my classroom. It's OUR classroom.
HAVING FUN!
I want my students to realize that Chemistry is fun! There's plenty of theory in Chemistry, but we can't begin to understand the world around us without knowing how to do it. To have fun, we need to learn by going out there in the world and doing Chemistry.
OVERVIEW
How Our Class Will Run
NORMS
Our classroom norms will be created in class and posted on here per period. Creating norms together give my students ownership of how the learning will proceed in our class. This is a way we build our classroom community. However, these are my definite norms that will be followed in every class.
Build Each Other Up
Be Productive
Be Respectful
POLICIES
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Since our students need to build each other up, for every negative thing said in the class, students must say 3 positives.
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There will be times when no food will be allowed in the classroom. It's a lab so there's bound to be some gross stuff lying around!
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Cell Phones will be used to take classroom attendance. Students will be assigned a cubby where they can charge their cell phone during class time. They will not be allowed in class unless otherwise stated.
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Bathroom breaks will not be allowed in the first and last 15 minutes of class. If students need to use the restroom, they must take the bathroom pass. Only one student can go to the restroom at a time.
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Tutoring Policy: I will provide tutoring during lunch and Tuesdays and Wednesdays after-school.
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Make-up Policy:
Being late and absent will cause you to get low grades in class. Things happen, I get it! So here’s what to do in case you are absent.
If your absence is excused:
1. It is your responsibility to come talk to me. I will tell you what you missed and sign your work so you can receive full points. You will have an extension to complete the work depending on how many days were missed. For example: If you were gone a week, you will get a week to finish. If you were gone a day, you will get an extra day to turn it in.
If your absence is unexcused:
1. You have ONE week to make up missed assignments. Late assignments must have a late slip attached completely filled out. No late slip? I won’t grade it.
2. Assignments turned in late will receive half the credit
EXPECTATIONS
Arrive to class ready to work for the entire class.
Arrive to class on time with your supplies.
Be respectful and kind to everyone. You don't know what kind of day they're having.
Use appropriate language and behavior at all times.
Keep your cell phones in your charging cubby. They will not be allowed in class unless of emergencies. In which case, it should be communicated with me at the beginning of class.
Keep our classroom clean.
Stay in your seats until the bell rings. Packing up early is not necessary, I will make sure you get out of class on time.
There are times students will be allowed to listen to music during class. We will have a music station created by students that I will play. Music must be submitted by students through Remind, email, or this website with artist name and song. Music will be approved by me.
If students continuously break the rules, the following will occur:
1. Individual consultation between teacher and student.
2. Parent contact through email, phone, Remind, etc.
3. Parent Teacher Conference
4. Administrative Action
(However, I don't expect to have very many issues. Good teacher/student relationships lead to successful classrooms)