Mr.

Aaron Riggs completed the first half of his student teaching placement over an eight-week period in the fall
semester of 2013. He worked with eighth grade students at Bunger Middle School, a culturally diverse, low
socioeconomic middle school in Evansdale, Iowa, under cooperating teacher Lori Netty. Bunger has
approximately 430 students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds where 67% of the students are on free and
reduced lunch. In terms of diversity, the breakdown is 68% white and 17% African American, while Hispanic,
Asian and American Indian students make up the remaining 15% of the minority student population. Aaron
taught three sections of Pre-Algebra with class sizes of approximately 20 students. He also taught one section
of Algebra, an advanced placement class for eighth graders, with approximately 20 students.
Mr. Riggs attended all meetings before the school year started in addition to all professional development and
trainings offered during his placement. He learned how to keep student records on attendance, behavior, and
grades using Infinite Campus, the tool in which the Waterloo Community School District uses for keeping track
of students. Aaron is a very intelligent individual. He is very knowledgeable in the content of math and is very
passionate about it. He carried out the plans of teaching math to students during Tier 2, as part of the districts
initiative using IDM (Instructional Decision Making), which kept the students on track for meeting the district
and building goal of improving students math scores on the Iowa Assessments. Mr. Riggs planned and taught
units from the math investigations curriculum that focused on writing linear equations using graphing models
for Pre-Algebra and writing and solving equations from word problems in Algebra, in addition to correcting and
evaluating all student work. Aaron submitted student mid-term grades using Infinite Campus for all classes.
Aaron was able to establish good rapport with students during his 8 week placement. He participated on PBIS
event days where he supervised and played capture the flag, beach ball volleyball and kickball with and against
the students. In doing this he was able to see his students in a different climate other than the traditional
classroom setting. He continues to work towards developing effective classroom management in order to
maintain control of the classroom while treating all students in a fair and appropriate manner.
Aaron needs to continue to work on his classroom management. As he gets more comfortable in the classroom,
he will develop his own strategies that work for him to use to keep the class under control. Mr. Riggs needs to
continue to develop strategies to teach to all learners and not just those that think like he thinks. He needs to
continue to improve his time management so there is time to summarize the lesson and give any final
instructions before the students are dismissed.
Aaron is kind and hard working. He is very meticulous in his grading with strong organizational skills. He was
reflective in regard to each lesson he taught when asked about it. When given suggestions, Aaron would try to
implement them immediately. He was open to constructive feedback. Mr. Riggs had perfect attendance and
maintained an appropriate, professional appearance.
Aaron Riggs work ethic and dependability will make him an excellent addition to any upper level math staff.
When Aaron is in his own classroom developing his own strategies that work for him is when he will settle in
and calm his nerves and be a successful educator.
Lori Netty
Bunger Middle School, 8th Grade Math