Weekly Newsletter 1

Dear Parents,

A new school year is about to begin, and I’m very pleased to have the privilege of teaching your children. Before I begin to outline the kind of year I hope we are going to share together, I would first like to introduce myself.

My name is Scott Garrioch, and I’m a Canadian with 5 years of teaching experience in South Korea. I first began teaching at a hakwon in Ulsan in the autumn of 2000, and, after completing my first contract, I returned back to Canada. After a year at home, I began to miss Korea, so I returned to Korea in order to seriously pursue success as a teacher in Seoul. Rather than continuing to teach in hakwons, I instead chose to teach in private public schools, and I completed two contracts with university-sponsored elementary schools; the first being Kwangwoon Elementary in Seongbukgu, and the second being Chungdae Busook Demonstration Elementary, in Heuksukdong. I am therefore very familiar with the high standard of education expected in Korean private public schools such as KISQ.

Following these contracts, I began to travel all over Asia over the course of one year. I explored most parts of China, visiting most major cities, and one of those cities was Qingdao, which deeply impressed me. During this time, I decided that I wanted to further build on my experience in Korea by freelancing and working temporary contracts. These included business related contracts with Samsung, and summer and winter camps with Korean Minjok Leadership Academy, where I manage the school’s drama program and continue to assist in recruiting teachers.

Having developed keen interest in both Korean and Chinese cultures, I felt that moving to Qingdao, while working in a progressive Korean international school, would be the perfect way to advance my career. I am very happy to be here, and hope to establish a good working relationship with both you, the parents, and especially with your child.

I feel that grade 3 is a very important year in childhood education, and is the perfect time to embrace the beginnings of a more mature enthusiasm for learning. My teaching style focuses on creating enthusiasm, and I don’t feel that learning English should only be about learning English. Instead, I try to use English as the vehicle for learning about other things that truly interest the children. I feel this is the best way to learn English, and it is also the strongest new trend in many of Korea’s best English academies. When all students are involved in class activities and enjoying what they are doing, I feel I have reached my goal as a teacher. My unconventional method of teaching has proven to work well, and I intend to provide the students with high incentives for giving their best effort in class. As a homeroom teacher, I can offer more than English alone, and can broaden their language abilities by also opening up their minds to creative study.

I feel it is important for parents, teachers, and students to know each other well, and to maintain good communication. If you have any special information about your child that you would like to provide me with, or if you would like to ask questions, please feel free to contact me by email at scottgarrioch@gmail.com . I also look forward to meeting you in person.

Let’s make 2007 a wonderful year~^^ I hope it brings us all happiness and success.

Regards,

Scott Garrioch