Teacher Evaluations

[Brodiecaps1]

Hello everyone,
I was looking into the teacher evaluations, and it said that you need a math teacher evaluation, does it have to be specifically "math math" like calculus or can it be another mathematics based class like Business/Finance? I am also worried because my high school career started off very weak academically in the STEM department. I go to a Specialized Public High School in NYC with very intense math science courses, and take all honors and AP courses and had A+ in all the humanities but couldn't manage above B's in the sciences. However this junior year I have received all A's in my classes and received the highest grade in the school on The BizInnovator test for the University of Iowa. I have to ask my physics teacher who I had sophomore year for an evaluation, however I did not do well in his class, at least better than Chemistry, and do not feel that it was an accurate display of what I can accomplish now as a much more disciplined student who has finally taken hold of his weaknesses. Is there any way I can demonstrate this? I have a 96 in honors forensics which is a lab oriented class however they specifically said physics or chemistry, so I'm still stuck. I really don't want to be counted out when I know I can achieve high grades in any STEM class I'm put in because I've proven to myself working harder than anyone else, discipline, and the desire to not stop until my goals have been met, will help me do well in any class, even if they don't come the easiest for me. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you for your time.

 

[redwhitebluemom]

Hello everyone,
I was looking into the teacher evaluations, and it said that you need a math teacher evaluation, does it have to be specifically "math math" like calculus or can it be another mathematics based class like Business/Finance? I am also worried because my high school career started off very weak academically in the STEM department. I go to a Specialized Public High School in NYC with very intense math science courses, and take all honors and AP courses and had A+ in all the humanities but couldn't manage above B's in the sciences. However this junior year I have received all A's in my classes and received the highest grade in the school on The BizInnovator test for the University of Iowa. I have to ask my physics teacher who I had sophomore year for an evaluation, however I did not do well in his class, at least better than Chemistry, and do not feel that it was an accurate display of what I can accomplish now as a much more disciplined student who has finally taken hold of his weaknesses. Is there any way I can demonstrate this? I have a 96 in honors forensics which is a lab oriented class however they specifically said physics or chemistry, so I'm still stuck. I really don't want to be counted out when I know I can achieve high grades in any STEM class I'm put in because I've proven to myself working harder than anyone else, discipline, and the desire to not stop until my goals have been met, will help me do well in any class, even if they don't come the easiest for me. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you for your time.

Hi. I would recommend that you have a conversation with that teacher either by email or phone and ask if he/she would be willing to provide a recommendation. Odds are very good that if you gave your best effort and stayed engaged in class that your teacher will have good things to say about you. Rule #1 about getting a recommendation (whether now or later in life), always ask the person and provide them with any info they need to give you the best recommendation possible.

My son asked one of his teachers for a recommendation, and the teacher had some questions about why he wanted to attend the naval academy and how he was going to deal with his blunt speech (sometimes smart mouth) in the military. My son answered those questions from his teacher and received a very nice letter once he had responded.

Teachers WANT you to succeed. That is why they teach. Don’t assume that a B grade (or even lower) will result in a negative letter. Teachers look good when their students succeed, so this is probably not as big a deal as you are thinking.

Best of luck!

 

[Brodiecaps1]

Hello everyone,
I was looking into the teacher evaluations, and it said that you need a math teacher evaluation, does it have to be specifically "math math" like calculus or can it be another mathematics based class like Business/Finance? I am also worried because my high school career started off very weak academically in the STEM department. I go to a Specialized Public High School in NYC with very intense math science courses, and take all honors and AP courses and had A+ in all the humanities but couldn't manage above B's in the sciences. However this junior year I have received all A's in my classes and received the highest grade in the school on The BizInnovator test for the University of Iowa. I have to ask my physics teacher who I had sophomore year for an evaluation, however I did not do well in his class, at least better than Chemistry, and do not feel that it was an accurate display of what I can accomplish now as a much more disciplined student who has finally taken hold of his weaknesses. Is there any way I can demonstrate this? I have a 96 in honors forensics which is a lab oriented class however they specifically said physics or chemistry, so I'm still stuck. I really don't want to be counted out when I know I can achieve high grades in any STEM class I'm put in because I've proven to myself working harder than anyone else, discipline, and the desire to not stop until my goals have been met, will help me do well in any class, even if they don't come the easiest for me. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you for your time.

Hi. I would recommend that you have a conversation with that teacher either by email or phone and ask if he/she would be willing to provide a recommendation. Odds are very good that if you gave your best effort and stayed engaged in class that your teacher will have good things to say about you. Rule #1 about getting a recommendation (whether now or later in life), always ask the person and provide them with any info they need to give you the best recommendation possible.

My son asked one of his teachers for a recommendation, and the teacher had some questions about why he wanted to attend the naval academy and how he was going to deal with his blunt speech (sometimes smart mouth) in the military. My son answered those questions from his teacher and received a very nice letter once he had responded.

Teachers WANT you to succeed. That is why they teach. Don’t assume that a B grade (or even lower) will result in a negative letter. Teachers look good when their students succeed, so this is probably not as big a deal as you are thinking.
Best of luck!

Thank you so much for the advice and help, I really appreciate it!

 

[redwhitebluemom]

Also, teacher evaluations are not due until Dec. So if you work as hard as you say you will, and you know you can do a better job, wait and get one from your teacher this year once they have seen how you work/participate in the fall. No one say everything has to be done right now.

 

[Brodiecaps1]

Also, teacher evaluations are not due until Dec. So if you work as hard as you say you will, and you know you can do a better job, wait and get one from your teacher this year once they have seen how you work/participate in the fall. No one say everything has to be done right now.

Would they know though if I'm not taking the physics teachers class again?

 

[redwhitebluemom]

Would they know though if I'm not taking the physics teachers class again?

Brodiecaps, my son’s candidate profile (USNA) is asking for a math evaluation and English evaluation. Who is asking for chemistry or physics? Is that for the nomination? I am a little confused.

No matter which one it is, You will have to send your final high school transcripts to the academy if you receive an appointment so they will know everything. There is no hiding the flaws during this process. So it is simply best to deal with them head-on like the man of honor that the academy expects you to be.

Get the letters/evaluations they want without deception or worry, and the path God has for you will unfold.

When you are hiding nothing, you have nothing to hide and that is the best feeling in the world (Corny, I know, but true). Don’t be ashamed of your mistakes or failures. Make a case in your essay for what your learned from them and how you plan to avoid them in the future. And then don’t make those same mistakes. That is all a man can do.

 

[forumjunkie]

Some school servers screen out the recommendation request E-mail from academies, never even makes it to the Junk file. work closely with your teacher, and guidance counselors. To make sure they get it. If possible might better yet get their private e-mail.

 

[Brodiecaps1]

Would they know though if I'm not taking the physics teachers class again?

Brodiecaps, my son’s candidate profile (USNA) is asking for a math evaluation and English evaluation. Who is asking for chemistry or physics? Is that for the nomination? I am a little confused.

No matter which one it is, You will have to send your final high school transcripts to the academy if you receive an appointment so they will know everything. There is no hiding the flaws during this process. So it is simply best to deal with them head-on like the man of honor that the academy expects you to be.

Get the letters/evaluations they want without deception or worry, and the path God has for you will unfold.

When you are hiding nothing, you have nothing to hide and that is the best feeling in the world (Corny, I know, but true). Don’t be ashamed of your mistakes or failures. Make a case in your essay for what your learned from them and how you plan to avoid them in the future. And then don’t make those same mistakes. That is all a man can do.

USMA said it requires Evaluation from Math, English, and Science. I agree with you 100 percent and will take it to heart, thank you for the advice.

 

[Brodiecaps1]

Some school servers screen out the recommendation request E-mail from academies, never even makes it to the Junk file. work closely with your teacher, and guidance counselors. To make sure they get it. If possible might better yet get their private e-mail.

Will do, thank you!

 

[buff81]

The USMA application is not identical USNA application so you can not compare the two.

1) SOE stands for School Official Evaluation. It is an evaluation, not a recommendation. Also, note the SOEs fall under the leadership portion of the application, not the academic. Therefore, the evaluation by your 3 academic teachers (I'm not talking about the PE SOE) is not about how well you did academically in their class.
West Point already knows that from your transcripts.
The 3 teachers you choose will get an email from WP asking them to electronically answer 12 questions with a rank of 1-5 . There is also a box for comments.
You can choose any math, english and physics/chemistry teacher that you have had from 9th grade on.
2) The deadline to finish your application is Feb 28. BUT - do not wait until then! Finish your application AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Do not wait until the end of your fall semester to be asking for teacher SOEs. You should contact your chosen teachers NOW, ask them for an email that they will be checking during the summer (they might not be checking their school email) and let them know that they will be getting an email from WP asking them to evaluate you.
3) Your math class has to be a math class. Not a business class.
4) B's are fine. A's are better of course, but B's are not going to get you academically DQ'd on your West Point application.

 

[Brodiecaps1]

The USMA application is not identical USNA application so you can not compare the two.

1) SOE stands for School Official Evaluation. It is an evaluation, not a recommendation. Also, note the SOEs fall under the leadership portion of the application, not the academic. Therefore, the evaluation by your 3 academic teachers (I'm not talking about the PE SOE) is not about how well you did academically in their class.
West Point already knows that from your transcripts.
The 3 teachers you choose will get an email from WP asking them to electronically answer 12 questions with a rank of 1-5 . There is also a box for comments.
You can choose any math, english and physics/chemistry teacher that you have had from 9th grade on.
2) The deadline to finish your application is Feb 28. BUT - do not wait until then! Finish your application AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Do not wait until the end of your fall semester to be asking for teacher SOEs. You should contact your chosen teachers NOW, ask them for an email that they will be checking during the summer (they might not be checking their school email) and let them know that they will be getting an email from WP asking them to evaluate you.
3) Your math class has to be a math class. Not a business class.
4) B's are fine. A's are better of course, but B's are not going to get you academically DQ'd on your West Point application.

Thank you for the help!