Parents have homework too

Summer 2019

Dear parents/guardians,

I am looking forward to teaching your scholar this year in English class!  I need your help, though, in order for us to get off to a great start this academic year.  


Your assignment:  Please introduce me to your scholar.

• What are his/her strengths, interests, talents, challenges?
• Is there something about him/her that you would like me to know -- something that would help me reach him/her sooner or more effectively?
• What are your concerns, fears and hopes for your child?

Format:  

• I value your response in any form:  list, letter, poem, scrapbook page, pictorial, email, recording, etc. -- you choose!  
• You may send your homework to school with your scholar, or email it to me at anita.ellis@lrsd.org  Please clearly identify your scholar by name so that I can award bonus points to him/her.

Due:  Monday August 19, 2019

The rewards:

• You will help us get off to a great start this year by helping me get to know your scholar better
• Your scholar will get extra credit to start the year off on the right foot
• We will take our first steps in our partnership to support your scholar's learning and growth this year

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

Mrs. A. Ellis

anita.ellis@lrsd.org

6th grade English, room 13

8th grade English, room 10

Meet the Teacher

Who am I?

My name is Anita Ellis.  I'm originally from Canada.  Nearly 8 years ago, I married the man of my dreams and moved to Little Rock, Arkansas.  I love exploring this state, though I wonder if I will ever adjust to the summer heat.

Mr. Ellis and I currently have 2 dogs, and are fostering a third.  All of the dogs are seniors, so we often joke that we are operating a canine retirement home!  We love to game, watch movies, listen to music, and read.  We have taken up recreational cycling, though the summer heat has put that on temporary hold for this Canadian!  I also love to write and quilt, when I can find the time for those activities.

Why do I teach?

I have been teaching professionally since September 1993, with a break of a few years when I first moved to the United States.  I taught French as a Second Language as well as the arts in K-8 schools in Ontario, Canada for over 19 years.  After moving to the United States, and getting my Master of Arts in Teaching, I resumed my career teaching 6th grade English at Henderson Middle School.  This will be my fourth year at Henderson, and I will be teaching four 8th grade and two 6th grade English classes.  

I teach because I love to learn.  I teach because I love a challenge.  I teach because there is nothing better than seeing a student light up with new knowledge, skill or awareness of his/her own potential.  Teaching has given me the chance to work with some amazing young people:  creative, curious, funny, reflective kids who challenge my thinking, and who inspire and encourage me to grow and learn, too.