Michael A.

Garcia

act First Day of Class Seven

Things
John Marshall High School
Career and Technology
Public Safety / Law Enforcement
Grades: 9-12
Seven Things Students Want to Know (on the first day of
school)
1. Am I in the right room?
I will address this situation with a few proactive actions. I will greet my
students at the doorway. I will verbally verify that they are to be in my
classroom and they are there during the correct lesson period. I will
also give direction to other students so that they can get to their
classes if they are not in my class. I will also have a large banner in the
classroom that states Welcome MHS Public Safety / Law Enforcement
Students.
2. Where am I supposed to sit?
On the first day of school, students will be take any seat in the
classroom. While waiting for the bell to ring, the students will be asked
to take a desk name card and to fill it out with their LAST name only.
Once the tardy bell rings, I will ask all the students to organize
themselves in alphabetical order, left to right, last name, first name
and middle initial if needed. Upon completion, the students will be
asked to take their seats at the appropriate desk and to place their
name card on top of the desk for me to verify that they are in the
proper order. Once this has been completed, I will inform the students
that this will be the seating arraignment for the remainder of the year.
Should a student be added or dropped, adjustments to the seating will
be made by alphabetical order.
3. What are the rules in this classroom?
The rules of the classroom along with the protocols will be visible at
the front of the classroom. Because of the subject matter of the class,
there will be a student contract that will need to be filled out and
signed prior to participation in the law enforcement training. Selfdiscipline and high standards are the hallmark of the program. My
students will be expected to live up to these high standards as they
begin to learn and prepare as a public service professional.
4. What will I be doing this year?
A general course outline, based on the TEKs, will be given to each
student for their review. This will be similar to a syllabus with regard to

Michael A. Garcia

act First Day of Class Seven

Things
what is expected of the student, projects to be completed, class
participation, class presentations and training outside of the classroom.
A general timeline will be included but the students will be informed
that timeline is subject to change. All tests, projects and presentations
will be posted on the board so that they may plan accordingly.
5. How will be graded?
Included in the syllabus will be a description of how the students will
be academically assessed. The course requirements will be listed along
with how they will be weighted by percentage. Due dates will be
placed on the front board for students to view. Arrangements as per
the district policy will be followed for any make up assignments. The
subjects of class attendance, expected quality of work, academic
honesty/dishonesty, non-academic misconduct, the use of electronic
devices and the harassment of other students will also be included in
the document.
6. Who is the teacher as a person?
I normally do not care for talking about myself. In this instance, as a
teacher, how the students get to know me as a person is very
important. With that said, I will conduct the following short activity. I
will engage my students by passing around a box with photos or
objects. The student will ask a question about me in relation to what
the object is.
7. Will the teacher treat me as human being?
Just as my sons are not my friends, neither will my students be my
friends. The role that I have with my sons is that of being their father.
The role that I will have with my students will be that of teacher and
mentor. Each of these roles bares the great responsibility of providing
the students with every opportunity to reach their maximum potential.
Direction and guidance will be used to help them get to where they
want to be. I will be a role model to my students by exhibiting respect,
dignity and professionalism. My philosophy of teaching is student
centered. It is all about the student and what gains they can make in
school and in life. It is my intention to teach and model the life skills
that will make them successful.