This needs to be included in your Advanced Standing application so we can evaluate y our writing ability (plus this is good practice your future!).

Writing letters to families

As part of your Advanced Standing Application, the faculty within the Education Department ask for a writing sample as an indicator that you can communicate effectively through your writing.  Teachers must be prepared to write a cogent letter to their principal, their colleagues, and to the families of their students.  

To satisfy this component of your application, we would like you to craft a letter you would share with families of your students in your classroom.   This letter should be no more than one page, double spaced.  That is not much room for information, so be clear, concise, and write meaningful information.  Here are some ideas of what you could include, but please do not limit yourself to only this list:

• Where are you from and what do you remember about your school experience?
• Why do you want to be a teacher?
• What are your goals for the culture and community in your classroom?
• What are your goals for the academic growth of your students?  How will you get them there?
• (secondary only) What is your philosophy of secondary education in your specific content area?