Promises to My

Future Students
- Mr. Rivas
I promise to always treat all of you with
respect.
I plan to do this by ensuring that even in
moments of frustration, I do my best to
remember that my students are people and
deserve to be treated as such.
I think it is important that students develop
healthy relationships with adults – including
teachers. The research says that students
are more likely to be caring and respectful of
others if they know they are cared about
and respected (Kohn).
 I promise to think of my classroom as a
community where all are welcome,
respected, and appreciated.
I plan on doing this by giving my students
the freedom to make choices as well as by
doing activities that encourage students to
care about one another.
I believe that one of the ingredients for
student success is enthusiasm about
academic learning. The research suggests
that teaching students to care about one
another raises enthusiasm (Kohn).
 I promise to use your funds of
knowledge to structure how I teach in
order to meet your learning needs.

I plan to do this by getting to know my The research says that learning about
students by observing their social students’ funds of knowledge can lead to
interactions with peers and through the improved classroom instruction in schools
work they turn in. (Moll et al. 1992).
I promise to take a dialogic stance in my
teaching so that all voices, ideas, and
opinions are validated.
I plan on doing this by engaging my Valuing all students’ voices and opinions is
students in dialogue whenever the important to me, and the research suggests
opportunity is there. students can strengthen their
understanding of content by engaging in
dialogue (Juzwik et al.)
 I promise to focus on what you say and
write rather than how you do so.
I will do this by engaging in generous
reading of student work so that I do not
discourage any of my students from
continuing to grow and take risks as writers.
Encouraging my students to write is
important to me, and the research says that
student writing often reflects cultural and
linguistic background. With this in mind, it is
crucial to validate students so that they
could continue to develop their writing
skills; one way to do so is by engaging in
generous readings (Spence).
I promise to integrate your cultural and
linguistic backgrounds into our class as
best I could.
I plan to do this by getting to know my The research suggests that students are
students and then using that information to more engaged when their backgrounds are
research their many cultural norms and implemented into the classroom (Moll et al.
practices. 1992)
I promise to be flexible in how I present
information and in how you can
demonstrate learning.
I plan on doing this by organizing my
instruction based on the 3 UDL principles.
I think that in order to be equitable, I must
consider that each student learns
differently. The research says that the UDL
principles are effective and inclusive of all
learners (Hall et al.)
 I promise to work with you to create a
physical learning space where we all
feel safe and comfortable.
I plan to do this by working together with
my students to arrange our class in a way
that is both ergonomic and cozy.
I believe that creating an effective physical
learning space is important for success in
the classroom, and the research suggests
that the classroom is the foundation for
learning (Garcia 2015).