Let us Welcome Back! one another with thankfulness for a safe summer and for one that was hopefully restorative with recreation.  For faculty and students alike, a new school year brings a fresh opportunity to enthusiastically resume our education mission.  

     Paramount is that the new year begin with a clean slate.  I will impress on students referred to this program that the one thing that each of us can absolutely, positively control is Attitude. And no matter what happens minute to minute; no matter how a day develops, most of the time it is Attitude that will matter most.  

     In S.C.A.L.E., I am responsible for teaching all four core subjects to my students.  For me, that is part of the allure of this job:  to be able to span the spectrum of middle grades disciplines.  Although I am certified in Math & Science, it is Social Studies (geography) that I enjoy most in interacting with my students.  It is a big world out there!  There is so much to be fascinated about.  I can only hope that my intellectual curiosity is infectious. My greatest challenge is to inculcate that learning is fun - it is not a chore.  (Sometimes an assignment is. So knock it out - be through with it already.)  So many ways to have a great time at school.  No wonder life is sometimes referred to as a game.

     I am committed to maintaining high expectations.  Students who come to S.C.A.L.E. must be dedicated and focused.  I want my students to understand that their mission in life, their job right now, is to get an education - one that will lay the foundation for the four (4) most important years in one's life:  the four years of high school. 

Sincerely,

Keith Funderburk

S.C.A.L.E. Teacher,  C.C. Erwin Middle School

Favorite Web Sites:

http://www.purplemath.com