Brad,
As I prepare to leave Lincoln, I have been reflecting on what I will be taking with me when I leave. The biggest professional gift Lincoln has given me is the reader’s and writer’s workshop. I am so thankful that Lincoln was able to send me to the Teacher College for both reader’s and writer’s workshop. Those two weeks have been the best professional conferences I have attended thus far in my career. But what has been invaluable has been my opportunity to have Matthew as my own personal workshop mentor. I feel so lucky to have been able to work so closely with Matthew for three years; he is always open to sharing his work with me. He is always willing to answer any question I have, and always says YES when I suggest ways for him to share his knowledge with the third grade team or the 2/3 team. This year’s class has demonstrated the growth of my teaching which wouldn’t have be possible without the continued conversations and support I have gotten from Matthew. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to gain this professional growth and it’s definitely my biggest take away from my time at Lincoln. Thanks for supporting me with this interest.
Colleague
Thank you Matthew. Your level of communication with Victor’s parents has been excellent particularly given the weight of the information that you are sharing.
Matthew,
An excellent article on page 33 of the AASSA newsletter.
Thanks for being innovative and effective, and thanks for sharing this with colleagues around the region. Phil
Parents
"Elsbeth, what was great about your day?" from me.
"Reading!"
"Again? You said that yesterday and the day before. Will you say that about every day?"
"No, some days I will say it was writing!"
Thanks for lighting her fire Matthew.
It's hard to believe that at the beginning of the year I told you that Nicole really disliked writing and would try to avoid writing at all cost. Today if you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up, she will tell you " I want to be a writer...if I don't make money from my singing or Irish Dancing". That is quite a turn-around in just a year from hating to loving writing. Thank you.
Having Mr. Wiest these last couple of years has been a wonderful experience for our family. He has such a gift in making learning fun and exciting for his classroom. He continues to challenge our son to his maximum potential. His guidance and rapport with P. allows P. to want to exceed. The safe environment that Mr. Wiest has created in his class gives our son a reason to do his best. P. has matured not only academically but emotionally and socially as well.
Mr. Matthew,
When Sonja and I found out that you would be Jacey´s teacher this year it was a special moment for us. I told Sonja "We do not have to worry about our boy this year." We knew he was in good hands. This statement has a deep meaning in many, many ways and I can´t begin to tell you as the father how important this "feeling" means to me. Having this confidence in YOU changed our family. We could focus on other "issues" with Jacey and had the confidence that you would be there to help him and us. Raising boys is a lot of fun and it is a team effort. Thank you for being on our team.
I'm thankful teachers like you exist, and hopeful I'll run into some of them in Tampa ! Now you just went and made me cry again ! I can only hope T and I end up with someone 1/4 as good as the teachers they have had at Lincoln.
Jeff and I deeply appreciate your generosity in placing P in Mr. Wiest’s class for two consecutive years. It has been a pleasure and joy to work with Mr. Wiest. He ALWAYS keeps us informed of our son’s progress as well as what we can do to help support him at school. This type of communication allows for us to be involved in our son’s education as well as support the curriculum.
We have appreciated how Mr. Wiest handles his students so that there is control within the classroom. Is it too late to clone Mr. Wiest?
Lincoln Classroom Parent
You are TRULY an amazing teacher - and we are so privileged to have had you as A`s mentor and guide this year. Thank you will NEVER be enough - for EVERYTHING you so kindly did and shared with A. in your year. She is the happiest child here!
Lincoln Classroom Parent
By the way, I was talking with Amy yesterday about our move back. I told her that Caroline has been very unhappy with school this year. She said, "She should have Mr Matthew for a teacher. Mr Matthew is the best teacher in the world! If she was in Mr Matthew's class then she would love going to school. I wish we could bring Mr Matthew back with us."
Lincoln Classroom Parent
Her self-confidence has grown by leaps and bounds. Thank you for providing the classroom environment in which she could do so. This has been a banner year for her!
Lincoln Classroom Parent
Matthew,
Ademas aprovecho para saludarle y agradecerle por el excelente año que ha tenido D. en tu clase.
D. ha expresado un alto aprecio por Usted y de seguro siempre lo recordara como un buen maestro y amigo.
Lincoln Classroom Parent
El placer a sido nuestro de tenelro como maestro de S., gracias por la atencion y buena enseñanza que le dio, este año. Ella y nosotros felices con Usted.
Lincoln Classroom Parent
Students:
Dear Mister Matt,
I’ve had a great school year! Today i think was the hardest day.I really was about to cry, but i kept it in.
Im really going to miss school and my friends, but mostly i’m going to miss having you as a teacher.
This is the first year of my life that i’m crying about leaving school for winter break.
Student
i was your 1st grade student.i miss u u r my fav. teacher of all time
P.S. 131 1st grade student