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Parents of Classroom B6 Mr. Donovan Martinez University of Hawaii-Manoa Teacher Candidate Introduction

Aloha Parents, My name is Donovan Martinez and I am the new teacher candidate from the University of Hawaii's College of Education. I am pursuing an education degree with the Elementary/ Special Education Dual Prep program. I have been selected to work with Mrs. Fong as my mentor teacher for my General Education placement for this spring semester. I have experience working in the classroom setting as I was a Para-Professional Teacher (PPT) at Kahala Elementary for the 2009-'10 school year. There I worked in both 2nd and 4th grade classrooms where I assisted students with varying learning disabilities. My experience there helped me decide that education is the career I would want to get into. This makes me very excited to work with Mrs. Fong and your childs 2nd grade class. During after school hours, I work at Maryknoll Schools Special Programs as well as coach volleyball at Iolani during the fall. I have had many years of experience coaching volleyball at all levels, it is from those fun and successful experiences that have molded me into the teacher candidate I am today. I am honored to be placed at Waikiki Elementary School as I am very aware of your schools achievement as one of Hawaiis Blue Ribbon Schools of 2012. I am looking forward to working with the Mrs. Fong, your child and the students of B6, as well as yourselves to help me gain as much as I can from this experience. I will be in Mrs. Fongs classroom on Wednesdays and Thursdays for this Spring Semester. I will assist Mrs. Fong with daily activities, lessons, and duties. I will also be teaching some lessons that correspond with the courses that I am currently taking with our education program at UH such as: reading, performing arts, and math. It is with these lessons that will help me gain valuable teaching experience that cannot be obtained from reading a book or taking a class. I am very thankful for any insight you have to offer and look forward to communicating with you throughout the rest of my stay.

Sincerely,

Mr. Donovan Martinez College of Education, Cohort 414 University of Hawaii-Manoa