Dear Alex, by Michelle https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol Write a note to Alex Kajitani about the one thing from his book that impacted you and that you will implement in your professional career. Alex is a teacher just like you so this is your opportunity to thank him for sharing his knowledge with all of us. en-us 2017-06-16 13:58:19 UTC 2026-03-23 17:51:23 UTC hello@padlet.com Dear Alex, msedberry https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/176669848 I enjoyed so many parts of your book, but the one that I was most intrigued by was the Community Based Professional Development.  I have never seen this done and I think it is a great idea.  This is something I am going to look at implementing this next year in professional development.
Thanks,
Michelle Sedberry]]> 2017-06-16 14:04:46 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/176669848 Dear Alex https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177146421 I really enjoyed your book. There were many parts that gave new perspectives in education. One of the items was community involvement and to use the news to show positive things happening in our schools. I recently had a donors choose project funded and I'm 
planning on inviting our local newspaper to come and report on it. 
Thank you,
Colleen Wilson ]]> 2017-06-21 23:20:16 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177146421 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177259949 Your book really hit home with me. I teach in a Title I school and have worked with at-risk students for 10 years now. The thing I most enjoyed reading about was how to bring ethnic identity and culturally relevant curriculum into our classrooms. I can't wait to share my story with my students, hear their stories, and find ways to connect what they say to their learning. 
Thank you for your insight,
Sarah Harper]]> 2017-06-23 02:32:33 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177259949 Dear Mr. Kajitani, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177972107 What a great read!  You have simple solutions and strategies to real everyday problems in our schools.  Thank you for including the Broken Windows piece.  Really has changed how I see disorder and my approach towards fixing the real problem.  Also, I think I might bust out my copy of Mr. Wong's, The First Days of School, just to brush up on a few things he taught me.  
Thanks,
Tiffanie Garvin]]> 2017-07-03 20:20:33 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/177972107 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178071390 This is one of the best books I have read this summer. I loved the fact that it was easy to follow and understand. It also has great strategies that I can take and use in my classroom. It really helped me get pumped for the new school year. This is definitely a book that I am recommended to my teacher friends! 
Thanks,
Amy Crump ]]> 2017-07-05 02:37:09 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178071390 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178126546 I just finished reading your book, Owning It. What a great book!  I really enjoyed  many parts of this book but the part that stuck out the most and really impacted me was the Broken Window therory.  I will take many of these stragies and use them in my classroom. Thank you for taking the time to pour into other teachers and the work you have done to invest students. and communities across our country.
Thank you. 
Bridgette Wall]]> 2017-07-05 17:41:57 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178126546 Dear Alex, draper12rr https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178611609 You came and spoke at my campus just before Owning It was released. For 4 years I have wanted to read it, and finally got the chance.  The inspiration of the Rappin Mathematician is beyond words! I am really looking forward to reaching those few at-risk students and making all of my students successful, however they need to be successful, not just in science content!
Thank you!
Sarah Gibson]]> 2017-07-13 04:10:06 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178611609 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178956163 Thank you so much for writing this book.  It is so easy to follow and full of great ideas for reaching my at risk students.  The part that made the biggest impact on me was Beyond the "Bad Kid".  Thank you for giving me alternatives for dealing with problem behavior in my classroom.  I feel much more able to face this challenge.  Your insights and understanding is just the beginning of the impact you will make in my classroom now and in the future.
Thank you,
Amanda Foster]]> 2017-07-18 13:06:58 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/178956163 Dear Alex, cosborn4 https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/179212090 Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and writing this book.  It was really inspirational and in many parts eye opening!  I am really looking forward to taking some of your ideas and implementing them in my classroom this next year!  I am really excited to see what an impact these ideas will make in my classroom and in my students!  
Thanks again!
Crystal Osborn]]> 2017-07-22 02:08:59 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/179212090 Dear Alex, jwarsing https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/179338772 Thank you so much for sharing all your strategies. As a new teacher they are so helpful for me. Between your book and the Mr. Wong's, The First Days of School, I feel like I have years of teaching experience at my fingertips. Your section over the Broken Window Theory really made me reflect over why my classroom ends up as a mess could be attributed to my messy teacher's desk. 
Thank you again, 
Jared Warsing]]> 2017-07-24 20:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/179338772 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/180858134 Thank you for writing the book.  I really enjoyed reading it and am planning to use your ideas in my room next year.  The part of the book that stuck out to me the most was the Broken Windows theory and how it applies to a classroom.  It really made me think what I need to change in my room to make my classes run more smoothly.
Thank you, 
Karen Storie

]]> 2017-08-14 00:57:51 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/180858134 Dear Alex, gcude https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/180978071 Thank you so much for taking the time to record the many valuable lessons that you have learned throughout your years of teaching children! With the new school year quickly approaching, I cannot wait to take some of the strategies that you discussed and implement them in my classroom. Having your book to reference day one of a new school year is going to allow both me and my students to start off on the right foot from the very beginning.]]> 2017-08-14 19:42:34 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/180978071 Dear Alex, nonnierhea https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181104743 Wow, I have enjoyed your book. I am so excited to use several strategies I have gained this school year. The Broken Windows section was one of my favorites. I need to step back and look at what I have been doing and make several changes in order for my class to be successful and run smoothly. I am planning to refer back to several strategies along the way.  Thank You for taking the time to share some ideas that have been successful. 

Nonnie Peters]]> 2017-08-15 15:37:23 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181104743 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181698865 Getting to meet you and experiencing your personality really hits home on connections.  Your book is a great resource and hearing it come from and experienced educator really validates the information.  There are so many out there that come from individuals who have little or no classroom experience.  I never thought about calling in the summer, I will be doing that this year to establish relation with the student and the parent.  I also will be adapting a digital newsletter to share with my students and parents each six weeks.

Thank you for finding those connections and sharing, you are so correct that being a kid has its own culture and the importance of learning and connecting to that culture.

God speed in delivering you message around the country.

James Holloway

]]> 2017-08-18 20:42:55 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181698865 Dear Alex, bobby_barron https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181736105 Thank you for a writing a book that really made me stop and think. The thought of being real with your kids is something that will keep me thinking all year long. I have a bad habit of keeping a messy desk at school. It really hit home when you talked about telling our kids to clean up their work area and them looking at my room and thinking Mr. Barron doesn't do the same thing. I will keep your book close and definitely use it for a reference as the school year goes on. I hope to meet you again and tell you of my success. 

Thanks, 
Bobby Barron]]> 2017-08-19 21:20:05 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181736105 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181743071 I only dream of being an educator like you one day. I am impressed with the insight you have to offer fellow educators. Your ideas, experiences, and ways of dealing with certain situations are so real. I will be referring back to this book all year long to grow myself as a teacher. 

The part of your book that touched me the most was chapter 16- Welcome To Teaching, Please Stay. I remember in college they drilled it in my head to stay positive and always give off that vibe. I did this with fidelity for two years. Then, as I became more experienced this positive quality of me as a teacher has diminished at times. It is so easy to get caught up in the negativity of others and slip into that mindset. The reality is, new teachers need someone to go to that will make them keep that fire! With three teachers newer than me in my science department this year and a student teacher, I vow to be that positive influence. 

This chapter really made me remember how I started in education and who I was. I hope that this year I can bring more of that out!

Thanks for the Inspiration,
Amy Estrada




]]> 2017-08-20 02:58:11 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181743071 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181769016 Your book was incredibly insightful and I cannot wait to implement many of the strategies that you suggested. The piece I found most useful was in chapter 13 How to Hook the Uninvolved Parent. This really resonated with me. Our parents often have even crazier schedules than we do. It is of greatest importance to connect with them in a way that is most convenient for them. Our parents do care about their kids, but often do not know how to do this in the educational setting. Working with them on their terms will impact our students greatly! 
Thanks
Summer Johnson ]]> 2017-08-20 18:54:34 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181769016 Dear Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181778918 Your book was an excellent read. It really gave me the tools and the courage to reflect on my own teaching style. I already had some goals in mind for this next year but after reading your book I also have some fresh new ideas to realize my goals. The one thing I am certainly going to do is start the year off right by contacting each student before school begins. I want them to know I have their very best interest at heart and we are going to work together to make some real progress. Thanks for sharing and encouraging teachers around the nation.
Rebecca Bartlett

]]> 2017-08-20 22:57:11 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/181778918 Dear Alex, martypitt https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182474080
I love your book!!  The lay out makes it such an easy read and allows for better understanding of the material.  I love all the personal experiences you shared.  

The part of the book that really made a big impact on me was 'The Broken Windows Theory.'  It really hit home and I am taking your suggestions to heart.  I am in the first 5 days of the new school year and I have had the opportunity to try your suggestions.  I am focusing on hallway behavior.  I hope that in a few weeks I am able to see the fruits of focusing on and redirecting that behavior.  

Again, thank you for all the great suggestions in your book!!

Olga Martinez]]> 2017-08-24 01:07:47 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182474080 Alex, adamcline https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182835684 Great book.  I found a lot of value and saw things through a lense I had never thought of looking through before.  I feel that I am more prepared for this year and the students that I am tasked to reach.  Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas with the masses and for all you do for your kids.  

Adam Cline

]]> 2017-08-25 15:50:43 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182835684 Alex, https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182949721
I found your book very useful in our school. I teach at a Title I school and found your experiences very relevant to what I face every day. I have started to implement your strategies on the first week of school and they are working! I am very excited for the year ahead and only know that everything is on the up and up. Thank you so much for sharing with us all!

Amanda VIllalobos]]> 2017-08-26 21:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182949721 Dear Alex, I have thoroughly enjoyed your book. I have in some way or another related to every aspect of your book. There are things that I can say wow I do that too, and then there are things that I have taken away from you book that I can personally work on to get better at. I have always known that parent involvement is important, but after reading your book it really has sunk in just how important it is. I am going to try really hard this year to improve my communications with parents. I really love your idea about the student lead conference and love how this can put ownership on the students. This was such a great read.Thank you! Leslie Daugherty https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182954005 2017-08-27 00:23:37 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182954005 Rodney Smith https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182956040 Dear Mr. Kajitani,
This is the first education book that I actually wanted to read the next chapter. You have a gift of entertaining while teaching. I teach Junior High Science and have learned some more creative ways to interact with students. The students love to learn when creativity and success are every day occurrences. 

Rodney Smith
Olton Junior High Science]]> 2017-08-27 01:52:50 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182956040 Dear Alex, smulter https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182980793 Thank you so much for sharing your experiences in the classroom to help others become better teachers.  I really enjoyed how you created an atmosphere of acceptance and how to really connect with your students.  Chapter 10 discussed motivating the unmotivated student and the points you hit on in this section were very important and I plan to bring in some local success stories to help motivate the students.  I am very excited to implement many of the strategiesthat you explained in your book during this school year.  


Sincerely,
Sabrina Multer
New Home ISD

]]> 2017-08-27 15:54:37 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182980793 Jennifer Emert https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182991540 Alex, 

It is amazing to me how two teachers from two different states so far away from each other can have so many similar issues. Your book has truly helped me learn how to handle situations with my at-risk or low socio economic kids who just need someone to give them a chance. I enjoyed reading your book and can't wait to put these easy to implement strategies into practice in my classroom. Good luck to you in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Emert
Floydada ISD]]> 2017-08-27 19:46:10 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182991540 Dee Jay A.K ppayen https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182997304 I found your book to be very well done. I especially liked the fact that you addressed issues that we all want and need to talk about but are fearful of the consequences. I had the privilege of meeting you when you came to speak to our campus in my first year of teaching. You were very approachable and you even personally wrote down your email, so that I could reach you if I ever needed any insight on teaching or interaction with students. I never needed to do so, we all received your book from our principal after your visit, and any misconceptions or concerns I had where all answered in your book. So I wish to thank you for sharing all of your experience with us and I will totally recommend your book not only to a first year teacher, but to one that has been teaching for many years. Your book transcends all the generation gaps Keep up your great work. 

Thank you and have a most blessed remainder of the year. 

Su Amigo,
Pedro Payen
Floydada ISD]]> 2017-08-27 21:37:57 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/182997304 Shirley Pearce https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183000068 Dear Alex,
I am so glad I had the opportunity to read Owning It and to hear you speak.  Even though I had read the book before I heard you speak, I thoroughly enjoyed your talk!  I plan to put forth a greater effort to make contact with my students' parents.  I do know the value of getting to know them, but I need to do a better job - and I will!

Thank you!

Shirley Pearce
Smyer High School]]> 2017-08-27 22:23:11 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183000068 Martin Zambrano martin_zambrano https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183002258 Dear Alex, 
I sincerely enjoyed reading your book Owning It!  I love how you didn't just include various strategies to use in the classroom and to use with our students BUT to connect with the community and with our peers.  The community and our peers are included in the school culture.  Most books only focus on the relationships between teachers and students and I am grateful you went beyond that!
Thank you, 

Martin Zambrano
Lubbock ISD]]> 2017-08-27 23:01:17 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183002258 Rebecca Thomman rebeccathomman https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183022608 Alex, 

I cannot thank you enough for your words of encouragement for teachers throughout this book! You can hear your passion, wisdom, and experience through your writing. I hope to be this knowledgeable of a teacher in the future. I am just beginning, in my 2nd year, and am so inspired and refreshed after reading Owning It.  I know the things I have learned form the book will help me to be a more effective teacher.  

Thank you!
Rebecca Thomman
 ]]> 2017-08-28 02:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183022608 Jordan Burkhead https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183026641 Alex, 
I really enjoyed reading your book this summer! I was also great to hear you speak at the Panhandle Math and Science conference. So many parts of your book made me take a step back and look at my past teaching styles and gave me a better understanding on why certain things didn’t workout the way I wanted them to. I will definitely use and implement some of the strategies you talked about throughout your book. One thing that really stuck with me was connecting with our at-risk students and showing them that they do matter and can succeed in life. Thank you for putting your teacher knowledge into this book and helping teachers like me!

Thank you,
Jordan Burkhead

]]> 2017-08-28 02:44:05 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183026641 Kensly Peck https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183033925 Alex,
I really enjoyed reading your book this summer and found it to be very helpful. This will be my second year to teach, so reading this book this summer was so encouraging to me.  I love that you laid everything out and made it so applicable to the every day teacher.  You have given me simple and easy ideas to incorporate into my classroom to make this year better than last. The thing that impacted me the most was reading that every single student can succeed and that there is no such thing as a "bad kid."  This school year I am going in with a completely different mindset.  I'm going in thinking how I can help that "bad kid" and find out the real reasons behind these fronts that they put up.  I want to challenge these kids and have them know that I truly care for them and won't accept failure from them. Again, I really enjoyed your book.  Thank you for sharing your knowledge to help teachers like me!

Thank you,
Kensly Peck]]> 2017-08-28 03:55:24 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183033925 Julie Lewelling julielewelling42 https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183038834 Dear Alex,
Thank-you for writing this book as I have enjoyed how easy it is to read and that each chapter stands independently. I will definitely be keeping this book on my shelf within reach. I think the most beneficial chapter for me was chapter 11, as sometimes it is a real struggle trying to reach a student that may seem to be unreachable. This chapter has given me some insight and ideas to try for the upcoming school year. ]]> 2017-08-28 04:45:30 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183038834 Randy Lewelling julielewelling42 https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183046415 Dear Alex,
I like the way the book is written as it is very straight to the point, and that there is not a lot of educational language in it that you have to keep up with.   I really liked the chapter on making sure that your students know that you care, as I try hard to practice that every year.   Thank-you for writting this book and going the extra mile to make appearences as well. 

Randy Lewelling]]> 2017-08-28 06:29:45 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183046415 Charla Karr https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183295924 Dear Alex, 
Thank you for your insight and your willingness to share what you have learned over your years of teaching.  I am a veteran teacher and your inspiration for helping at risk students was truly helpful.  I appreciate your passion and it has truly inspired me to want to do and be better.  The connections we make with our kids is so vital and after teaching for many years one can sometimes forget this and become wrapped up in content.  The content will come when you have their trust and their hearts. Your book was truly inspiring and I wish I had read it 25  years ago when I began.  I have shared many of your strategies with beginning teachers that I know will help them be better teachers. Thank you for what you do and what you share.
Sincerely
Charla Karr]]> 2017-08-29 03:04:46 UTC https://padlet.com/msedberry/7a83rq3ydbol/wish/183295924