Dear Students (of both the 3rd and the 9th period),
So, as the school year draws to an end, I would like to sincerely express my gratitude to you as a group for making the year a memorable one. We’ve had some good times, some bad times, and I’m not going to lie, some rather frustrating times during which I just wanted to cry and/or scream alternately for the lack of effort I witnessed. However, the delights far outweighed the vexations. Despite some of the trials and tribulations and the turbulent waters, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed our conversations – both those related to the literature and writing and those about generalities and themes of life. I feel that we’ve created a classroom environment that fostered learning, sharing and honesty (yes, I know some of you didn’t read the assigned material and that some of your responses were not entirely your own – but I still hope you learned something of value from our time together). I appreciate that you’ve trusted me with your experiences and stories (your secrets are safe with me) and that you’ve listened to mine in return. I can say with sincerity that I appreciate the fact that both groups generally lifted my spirits when I was down, and I shared welcomed and much needed laughs with. I know school and life can sometimes be trying and stressful, but with the generally pleasant and friendly atmosphere created in our room I hope that all of you felt comfortbale enough to express yourself without judgment. I hope your summer is full of mirth and enchantment. I hope that you find some time to get lost in a book and imagine an alternate world. I hope that someday, sometime, you use something that you’ve learned in my class. I hope that you find adventure, and kindness and love. This is not a goodbye (since it is my truest wish that I see you sometime in the future, in a crowd, on television receiving an award), but it is a farewell…at least for now.
I love you all.
Mrs. Ell
For the final blog response, write me (and the class) a letter of farewell. Suggestions for things to include – your honest opinion of the experiences in the class, what you most enjoyed, what you disliked, what you think could be changed about the course. If you’d prefer not to post your opinions publicly, I understand. You may email me instead. Please, do not ignore this assignment - I would really like to hear from you. If you choose to be rude or inappropriate, I will instead deduct points instead of giving you extra credit.
Mrs. Ell, though it is obvious that you are not leaving due to the fact that you are moving, but due to the fact the you are the most recent reincarnation of Ghandi, and you are going on a campaign through the Swiss Alps to help the stranded Emu who wander the dense, cold wilderness, I can say without a doubt that you are, of my 15 years alive (Most of which, in a school, so I’m fairly certain I’m qualified for this) on of the best teachers I have had. Your sence of humor (Campared to my stale, dry as the mouth of a Democrate at an Al Gore TED Confrence) was inpecable, and the sarcsm, of lord, that sarcasm thooo… I honestly could not, every day, wait to get to your class. Obviously you couldn’t wait for me, either. I am your favorite student, after all. So, when I get my first book published (Most likley about man who sees everyone ripping off their own heads…(Now YOU Guess if that’s a joke or not)), I will be sure to track you down, to the highest peaks of Heaven to the lowest depths of Hell, from Gods workshop to Manifesto Cafe, I will find you, and I WILL give you a free, signed, hardcover first-addition to whatever book that is.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you won’t give em detention then.
Farewell;
ur fave studint i teh hol wid wurl,
The Big Wazowski,
AKA
Michael J. Gorzynski
The grammar mistakes make me cringe...
DeleteDear Mrs. Ell,
ReplyDeleteThroughout the year this class has had its ups and downs, but overall it was very enjoyable. You are indeed my favorite writing teacher. I never really had an interest in writing, but this class and last year’s class has changed that. For once, writing has actually been enjoyable. During 6th and 7th grade, my writing lab teacher was terrible. Instead of helping me, she would point every single mistake I made in front of the entire class. However, you provided insight and made the class interesting. Unlike most teachers, you were serious yet still amusing. While I didn’t like all the assignments we did, I still tried my best on them. The main assignment I disliked was the presentation we had to do. I never was good at public speaking, but I have to learn to do it eventually. It is a shame you won’t be with us next year, as I was looking forward to having you in Creative Writing. Oh well. Perhaps we will cross paths in the future. And when we do, hopefully we will be able to have an intelligent conversation about politics, or science, or the meaning of life.
Sincerely,
Erick Lescano
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs.Ell,
Man, that was fast. The year has flown by with a bittersweet speed, and as my freshman year closes, I can honestly say this class was one of its high points. I enjoyed most of the assignments, and (however taxing they were) I liked writing papers in this class that allowed me to expand my mind universe of thought (yeah, that’s a thing). I liked the semi-weekly routine of the blogs, and the teacher-student interaction it gave off. Generally I like writing classes, but this was especially enjoyable. Admittedly, I do have many issues with a few of my unnamed classmates which I hope will change, but in the meantime I won’t see any of them for 2 ½ months. As to the rest of you, I either don’t talk to you, or you’re my friends. Friends: thanks for an awesome start to what’ll undoubtedly be a fantasmic high school experience. To those I don’t talk to: we should get acquainted.
Mrs.Ell, you are hands down one of if not the best writing lab teacher I’ve ever had, as I’m sure many students have also told you. You go the extra mile in teaching, giving us all the opportunities in the world to improve. You’ve let us work on essays during lunch, hand them in them, and didn’t even count them late! You even edited my and many other students’ papers for a different class! (What teacher does that anymore!?) You are a real-life, honest to God superhero Mrs.Ell! I’m going to miss you so much, not just because you're an amazing teacher, but because you’re such a cool and down to Earth person. Have fun in your new life, I hope you love wherever it takes you!
Watch Breaking Bad!
-Zachary
P.S.- Seriously. It changed my life.
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs. Ell,
I actually enjoyed this year. And I really can’t say that about a lot of classes. Most of all, I enjoyed learning with a good class and an amazing teacher. I really like the person that you are, Mrs. Ell. I’m not even going to lie, I was very often frustrated in your class. But through all those times, I learned a lot of things. To be more responsible, to learn from my mistakes, etc. And I can thank you for that. Some of the assignments I often found challenging and wouldn’t do them, but you helped me keep going. And very often gave me more chances. You did your job and you did great at it, even though I didn’t most of the time. Even though we would have some random conversations about life, I still liked them. You give us so many opportunities to improve our ways in learning, and you go really far in teaching us many new things. I’m going to miss you so much, Mrs. Ell. The good teacher and the wonderful person. Thank you.
Sincerely,
(Your favorite student of course)
Anthony Cifuentes
Dear Ms. Ell, This might be a tad ironic due to the fact that i barely did work in your class, but i will truly miss you. I enjoyed getting to know you more and more. But i would like to apologize for my points of procrastination (though i had many). And i thank you for all you did, especially for being a weird teacher :) I wish you the best in D.C., i know you'll effect students down there like you have here in DHS. Stay weird, weird is the new normal.
ReplyDeleteA senior that will miss you,
Tiahna Moya
Edwin Unsihuay
ReplyDelete6/16/14
Dear Mrs.Ell,
The year has went by fast as it is time for us freshmen to move on into the next steps of glory but as we move on we say goodbye to Mrs.Ell who in my opinion is one of the best writing teachers I have ever had throughout my school years. I really enjoyed this year’s writing class I feel better prepared and more advanced when writing. I mostly enjoyed the essay that we went up to speak about our topic such as it’s pros and cons. I remember mine was on standardized testing. Reading out loud about my topic to the class helped me in a way of public speaking so that was a good feeling. What I disliked about this year in writing class was probably the project on commercializing an item. I had many other projects during that time so I was kind of in a rush when doing that project but it turned out with me getting a good grade.
I don’t think anything should be changed about the course as it went great and it really helped me out. Mrs.Ell you always believed in us and knew that we had the potential to prove you right. In Washington D.C. I bet the students over there will enjoy having you as their teacher as well. As one door closes many more open up and I hope you keep being yourself. To my fellow classmates, I would just like to thank them for a wonderful year and hope for many to come in the future. All the laughs and fun that were experienced are now memories. I hope you can come to visit Dunellen some other time so we can talk about what has changed or things experienced. Thank you for all that you have done for us and thank you for being my 9th grade-writing teacher.
Sincerely,
Edwin Unsihuay
Dear Mrs.Ell,
ReplyDeleteThis year went by so fast. Last month felt like it was october and are first assighnment was due. Now its already the last week of school and im upset that this year is over. You trully were the best writing teacher ive ever had, and one of the best teachers ive ever had. You made every day inclass fun and enjoyable up to the last day on friday when you brought dunkin donuts in for are classes finale. I enjoyed the tops we talked about and the projects we did. There will never be a writing teacher as great as you. You all ways went out of your way to make shore us teens got the best grade we could. You were always there to help us with are assighnments before school and after. You will truely be missed by everyone. Dunellen is loseing a great teacher. You changed so many teens and made them be enspired to get good grades I hope you have a great summer in D.C, and enjoy life to the fullest. You truely made my year great.
ketch up on the Walking Dead and watch this season.
(Truely one of your favorite students from your favorite class this year.)
Sincerely,
Billy Strojek
This year has went by fast, faster than I have expected. But none the less I had fun in your class Mrs. Ell but unfortunately you have to leave us. You will always be missed for the good times and the Tyler times. Yes the Tyler times when he acted so stupid but it was very funny. All I can say is you will never have a class like our class, that last class to finished your day off. All the times I would do your work but finish them late because I liked to goof off all the time. But, I wish you good luck and goodbye :) thanks for everything
ReplyDeleteDear Mrs. Ell
ReplyDeleteI had a great year coming to one of my favorite classes everyday. I feel honored to be part of the last class that you will teach at DHS. I also feel sorry for the unfortunate people who will not get the pleasure of having you as a teacher. Your class was the one I looked forward to at the end of a long day filled with tedious classes. Its so unfair that you have to leave I wish you'd stay another year. I think we will all miss you when you're gone and will remember you for the rest of our high school years and the years that follow.
I had a good time handling all the freedom you gave us as a class. I enjoyed the air conditioner until it broke. It has been really hot in that room so I later enjoyed the little fan you have now. Thank you for believing in my writing ability and pushing me as a writer. You taught me life lessons to not take the bare minimum but to go above and beyond. Bye Mrs. Ell. Have fun in Washington D.C!