Parent Communication

Dear Parents,

My name is Tim Gamble, and I will be completing my student teaching this spring in Ms. Barton’s class. I am excited to work with your students and support them as they grow in their learning this semester.

About Me:
I hold a B.A. in English from Boise State University, and I will complete my Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary English) from Western Governors University this fall. For the past eighteen years, I have worked as a professional technical writer at several semiconductor companies in Utah Valley, including IM Flash, Micron, and Texas Instruments. During that time, I developed a strong appreciation for clear communication, critical thinking, and the power of effective writing—skills I look forward to helping students develop in the classroom.

I chose to pursue teaching because I enjoy helping students discover their voices, think critically about what they read, and gain confidence in their writing and ideas. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from Ms. Barton and to work with your students during this important stage of their education.

Thank you for welcoming me into your classroom community. I look forward to a great semester of learning and growth.

Sincerely,
Mr. Gamble

This is a parent letter I sent to introduce myself at the beginning of my student teaching. It demonstrates my commitment to maintaining open communication with families, which research shows supports student success and strengthens the partnership between teachers and parents.

 

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Meeting

[Student Name Redacted] IEP Notes (03/20/26)

How is he doing in English?

  • Since the seating chart change, he seems more engaged.
  • Chromebooks can sometimes be an issue—less recently.
  • He's in class every day! That being said, he could be more consistent with turning work in.

Dad was happy that he had been attending regularly after talking to him in December.

He said he would talk to him about not turning in assignments. I asked if it would be helpful for me to check with him before class ends and encourage him to turn in his work. His dad was concerned that the extra attention might embarrass him. He wanted to check with his student first.

I had the opportunity to lead an IEP meeting for a student in my English class. During this meeting, I collaborated with key stakeholders to review the student’s progress and determine appropriate accommodations.

This experience deepened my understanding of Individualized Education Programs and how they support diverse learners.

Professional Communication

This term, a student transferred into my English class whom I had not yet had the opportunity to meet. This is an email I sent to the counseling department to request information that my mentor teacher and I could use to better support the student.

Erin,

 

My name is Tim Gamble, and I am Alyssa Barton’s student teacher. 

 

[Student Name Redacted] recently transferred into our English 11 class, and we haven’t had the opportunity to meet her yet. Can you please share any information that would help us ensure she has the resources and support needed to succeed academically this term?

 

Your input is greatly appreciated.

 

Tim Gamble