Jamie R. Vega
High School English Teacher/ Graduate Student
Student Feedback
For the past four years, the English department has instuted a special day of reflection for the senior class. During their last week of schol, they are asked to reflect on their high school journey and to think about specific individuals who supported, motivated and inspired them. These individuals may be family members, friends, educators, or members of the community. They are then asked to write a letter to these indivuals thanking them for their assistance. This letter is not attached to a grade in any of their classes, and it is strictly voluntary.
I have had the opportunity to receive many letters of appreciation throughout my teaching career. I cherish the personal thoughts students share with me, and I use their feedback to reflect on my practice. With the students' permission, I have attached a few letters that I have received over the years.
Yosef Al-Harbi
Class of 2012, Montwood HS, El Paso, TX
“Not only do you motivate me academically, but as a person in society as well. I can honestly say that you are on of the few people that motivat me when I doubt my choice of going into the teaching profession. I look at you and see that it is possible to do what you want to do and be happy.”
Anthony Nunez
Class of 2013, Montwood HS, El Paso, TX
"You have this way of listening to us, in a way most teachers do not. You push us to establish our own interpretation and meaning behind things and in a way I think your purpose for this is not solely for academic means; I believe you do this in order for us to establish our own interpretation of life; for us to see the symbols and themes of our own existence so that we may use them to grow to be better human beings."
Vanessa Sliva
Class of 2013, Montwood HS, El Paso, TX
"The highlight of my experience in this class was all of the discussions we had for novels we were assigned. It managed to open my perspective to books. Before these discussions, I would read a book and take it for what it was, just a simple book. Contrary to this perspective, your class offered me a wider perspective towards all of the different aspects of a book."
Adalberto Isaac Garcia
Valedictorian, Class of 2012, Montwood HS, El Paso, TX
“Instead of just assigning a number value to the merit of [my writing], you gave me tips and pointers that allowed me to improve on the way I wrote. I even used these tips and pointers to help me get into my dream school ...Ultimately, you fostered a love for all literature in my heart because literature is science and science cannot be expressed without literature. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart in doing what no other teacher could. ”
Rafael Flores
Valedictorian, Class of 2015, Montwood HS, El Paso, TX
"Your class has also placed me out of my comfort zone several times, and having succeeded, I now know that my writing possibilities are endless.... I sometimes found myself stuck and afraid, but I always finished the assignment and was proud to turn in pieces that I never envisioned myself writing."
