Dear Parents/Guardians/Adults, and Students,

My name is Angela DeScalzo, and I will be your student’s AP World History and Sociology teacher this year. This is my 10^th year in Fort Bend and my 30^th year in education. Previously, I taught in HISD and Needville, among others. I grew up in Houston with a family of four. And graduated from Sam Houston State University in…well, let’s just say I graduated (I tell the kids we used stone tablets and chisels to take notes!)! I moved to Fort Bend in 1998 and 2/3 of my children are products of Elkins and Hightower High Schools.

Over the years, I became aware of the impact teachers can have on the lives of their students. As the kids enter school, they are turned over to the care of their teacher for a minimum of 8 hours a day!! Consequently, I have always been a huge supporter and practitioner of frequent home-to-school and school-home communication. It is my desire that this note will be the basis for a great deal of dialogue and communication between us. We will discuss your student, what’s happening in our classroom, ways you can support your child’s learning at home and school, and ways I can extend what you do at home in school.

I ask that this dialogue begin with one small request from me. Would you take a few minutes to jot down some thoughts about your student? What shouldn’t I wait to find out about them? What are their greatest strengths, proudest achievements, or favorite things to do? What will I notice about them? What are the things you like or admire about your child? (When my daughter was here, she was in ROTC. One year she walked up to me to let me know she was going to run for Battalion Commander. I was SO WORRIED for her if she was unsuccessful!! I was so hesitant; what little faith I had in her. Then HOLY COW, she DID become Battalion Commander and I was SO PROUD of her BRAVERY!! She is quite frankly, the bravest person I know! She stepped up and took the risk and made it!! To this day, it brings tears to my eyes.) How does your student learn best? What are your hopes for this school year for them? Please feel free to include anything you would like for me to know.

I am asking for this information because I believe when parents/guardians, teachers, and students communicate regularly about a student, they know exactly where they stand and what they need to do; and often than not, leads to a happier and more successful student. The more I know, the better and more effective teacher I become for your student.

I am SO EXCITED about this year and my student!! I missed them so much last year and look forward to having a fabulous and successful 2023/2024. Thank you so much for sharing your students with me!

Sincerely,

Angela DeScalzo

I am looking forward to having a fabulously and historically fun-filled year!!  Thank you so very much for sharing your children with me!

"If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important - and you do that by being genuine and humble."                                                                                                                                                                -Nelson Mandela

"Never, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill