Deborah Van Aken
Position: Inclusion Support Teacher
School: Sam Jamison Middle School
School District: Pearland Independent School District
City, State: Pearland, TX
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Deborah Van Aken was nominated anonymously.
"As a dedicated and passionate educator, I am committed to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment for my students. I believe in the potential of every student and work tirelessly to ensure they have the resources and guidance needed for their success. Focusing on individualized learning and student well-being, I go above and beyond to create an inclusive classroom where all students can thrive. Ensuring students' basic needs and supplies are met is fundamental to setting them up for successful learning. When these foundational elements are in place, students are more likely to engage fully in their education, leading to positive outcomes that extend far beyond the classroom," Van Aken said.
"By addressing these essential needs, we create an environment where students can thrive academically and personally, ultimately having a profound and lasting impact on their lives. I believe in teaching with a student-centered approach. I ensure that my students are learning academically and work hard to build their self-confidence and foster personal growth in very individualized ways. I strive to engage students and build on their strengths. I am also passionate about involvement in the PTA and committed to everyone in the school community— staff, parents, and students. I want funding for my classroom wish list of basic school supplies and student snacks. So many students come to school without eating and don't even have a pencil. I avoid any embarrassment or hindrance to their learning by having an area in my classroom where they know is there where they can get what they need to be successful for the day, whether food or supplies," said Van Aken.
"Additionally, personal hygiene items such as deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, laundry detergent, and toothpaste are costly items that families can't afford sometimes. Many of my students come to school tired due to crazy sleeping arrangements (sharing a couch with siblings, etc.), hungry because no one was home to cook dinner, or because they didn't have money to buy food. Despite the odds, these students are some of the most hardworking kids I've ever worked with. When basic needs are adequately addressed, students are better positioned to engage in learning, perform academically, and thrive in a school setting. This foundational support is crucial for fostering an environment where they can achieve their full potential," said Van Aken.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, I liked that you would not give me stuff if I didn't deserve it. I just want to thank you for dealing with me when I don't behave. I like that you teach no matter what even if some kids like me disrupt the class. I really did not like your class at first but after I started behaving it was pretty fun in my opinion.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, Thank you for being our math teacher!!! I will never forget you, you were by far the best math teacher I could've ever asked for. I will be sure to visit you next year even if you aren't teaching math anymore! Thank you for all of the support you have given us. Don't stress I know teaching can be stressful (my mom's a teacher).
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, This has been an amazing year with you. Even though my class was "extra" sometimes because of their behavior you were patient and made learning math fun. The lessons you had were fun and they really helped me understand so I know I'm prepared for junior high math!
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, thank you for teaching me math. I got smarter academically and personally because of you. Thank you so much for that I hope you teach my sister so she can get experience from you. I will miss you so much see you later.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, I know I was a pain in the rear last school year but thank you for still believing in me when I always tried to quit. Also, I am very grateful for you always teaching us even when we were very hyper. And I know you'll miss me because I'm your favorite but besides the point, again thank you!
Dear Mrs. Van Aken last school year was the best school year ever because of you! The first day of school I was really nervous but thank you for helping me in math. I like how you tell us to do our best and for us to try our hardest doing math and really doing our best whenever we did learning in any class and in life. What I didn't like about math was that it was pretty hard and I felt like I wasn't passing. I just want you to know that I really want to thank you for helping me understand math so much better and it was the first time I had passing grades in math. Thank you for everything you gave us and for supporting us. You are my favorite teacher because thanks to you we understand math so much better.
During last school year I have felt many things about your class. I felt happy whenever I got the right answer or excited whenever I wanted to got called to answer questions. Whenever I would get confused or sad Mrs. Van Aken was was there to help me with whatever I needed. One thing I liked about her teaching was the fun lessons and learning games that we would do. One thing I disliked about your teaching was that you would have me wait with my hand up because I already knew the answer. Thank you for teaching me the most I've ever learned in any of my math classes.
I felt happy about last school year because I learned a lot in your class and you are a very nice teacher. I liked your teaching style and lessons because we would do fun activities with whatever we would learn. For example, we practiced our multiplication facts by writing the whole multiplication chart for a candy. I liked learning about fractions, decimals, shapes and ratios. I also liked doing blookets about what we were learning about. Mrs. Van Aken I would like you to know that I had an amazing school year and I had a great time learning in your class.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, Thanks for teaching us math even though some people were rude to you. I appreciate you trying your best to make us understand your lessons, and thank you for coming early to school to teach an extra hour to the people who technically didn't understand your lessons. My favorite part of your lessons is when you would do different kinds of math and use blookets to help us learn and understand. My least favorite thing is that you would always give us homework. Besides that your class was super fun!
Mrs. Van Aken you made me feel happy about last school year because you made it fun. Things that I like about your teaching styles and lessons is that you give us candy when we answer questions, and things I dislike about your teaching style is that you make us write so much. I want you to know that you are really nice and a good math teacher.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, I loved this school year! It was super fun. I liked your class because it was fun and sometimes the other classes made me a little tired because I was bored. Then I would step into your class and I didn't feel tired anymore. You really helped me understand my math better. Although sometimes it was hard because the lessons were really fast but I understand that it was not your fault and it was because we were the advanced class. I really disliked learning about ratios they were not interesting for me. In conclusion, I loved your class a lot!
This school year was great. Thank you for trying to teach us different ways of learning. Even though we had our ups and downs this class year I know that you tried so hard to keep us motivated every day. This year your lessons were fun and made me want to learn. I know that you had to deal with us yapping so much. I'm really grateful for caring for each and every one of us. Even though you sometimes get upset at us I know you're not trying to be mean you just want us to learn and do our best. Thank you for everything.
Thank you Mrs. Van Aken I am so,so, grateful for everything you have done. It's amazing how you have been able to put up with our class. At first I was a bit angry with all the work and homework we had but, then I realized you were just trying to help us for the future. You are truly one of the most hardworking teacher I've ever met and one of the only teachers who give the bad kids consequences. You care for us and we care so much back. I will truly miss you. If I ever feel stresses or sad I'll think of you to motivate me. You helped me improve so much this year in math, although it was very hard. Most of the lessons were hard, and our class being noisy but you helped me get through it. Thank you for a wonderful year!
I felt like I could not trust you at the beginning of the year because last year you told us you were really mean but you're only because you want the best for us. You're the most fun and chillest teacher ever like I could tell you anything and you don't tell anyone. I don't like math but, I love the math teacher, Mrs. Van Aken. I love you so much you help through everything you gave me advice for all the girl drama and you always made me have a smile on my face. I love getting you gifts because you deserve them. I'm going to miss you Mrs. Van Aken I hope you have a good class next year you deserve the whole world Mrs. Van Aken I hope you know that I love you and your class!
Dear Mrs. Van Aken thank you for teaching me a lot this year. I know that it is not easy teaching a class like our class but I know you made it special and we will always remember you!
Thank you for everything you taught me I learned a lot in your class even though I had trouble focusing. Thank you Mrs. Van Aken.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, I just want to let you know I used to think math was hard but you have made it easier and always help me when I need it. You are very good at explaining things to me and you always help me reach my goals!
You are such a good teacher and I enjoyed my time in your class. I did like that you were very caring and cared about our education. I will miss you very much. Mrs. Van Aken, you are a very good teacher and I will miss you!
Thank you for a wonderful school year last year. Some of your teaching styles were hard at first but then the more we practiced them the easier they got. I feel like people shouldn't have a reason to dislike you, you are so nice and sweet. The only times you're mean are when the same students are being distracting and keeping us from learning. You are the most underrated teacher, you deserve more love and less hate. I hope the future 6th graders will be nice, sweet, and very respectful to you.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken,
Thank you for teaching me math. You have helped me learn alot through your teaching. I have my bad days but you still help me and have been nice to me. Mrs. Van Aken you have helped me overcome obstacles in my maths. Thank you for being a good math teacher.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken you have been loving to me you have the best way of explaining to me. You know I have a hard time learning and you also know I have a hard time paying attention. You have been the nicest teacher that I have ever had.
Mrs. Van Aken's class was my favorite class not because of math but because of her and how she helped me. The work and homework was very hard for me but Mrs. Van Aken always helped me. One thing is sometimes Mrs. Van Aken would get upset with students who would distract and interrupt the class and they would act crazy lol. But she didn't get too mad and I completely understand because they were making it hard for everyone else to learn. She always helped me and all the students who needed help no matter how many times we asked her.
I really liked your class and how you explained things that I didn't understand. You were always very nice and patient and helped me every time I needed it.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, I feel like you were the most underrated teacher. I enjoyed being in your class last school year. It was really cool especially during Student Council. You made Student Council fun with the field trips we took and how we learned about different groups in the community. I feel like I learned alot of new stuff (some felt useless) like the area for a circle like just make the circle bigger or smaller it's not that hard. :) I can't wait to go to high school and then come back my senior year to see you again!
I felt good in Mrs. Van Aken's class because she is good, helpful, and respectful to everybody. I liked Mrs. Van Aken's style of teaching I loved when she put on videos I disliked the amount of work. I want her to know that she is a good teacher and I respect her but some kids made it tough on her. Last year was an awesome year and I will not forget all she did for us. I appreciate her work and effort she put in just to make us happy.
Dear Mrs Vanaken you are very nice, and you have the best smile. You are so funny you give people 2nd chances and that you try your hardest to get kids to be the best version of themselves. I will never forget you because you was the one to help me to try my hardest. Your lovely
Dear Ms. VanAken I really loved this school year! I will really going to miss all my teachers. I liked this class becaues when you were teaching you used videos and examples for us to understand better at what we were learning. I liked all the games we played to help us learn. Even though we had homework that I hated and stressed over I know why it was important and it was for you to know what we need help on and for us to practice. I didn't really like all of the work but I will have to get used to it. So, thank you so much for everything you have done for us and all you have maked for us aka the games and stuff. Thank you!
Dear Mrs. Vanaken, last year we had our disagreements and stuff you know about me not wanting to do work, but you always there for when someone needs it you take your time out of teaching and you make us feel comforted. You help us until we feel and are ok and I thank you for that I love you so much!!!!
I feel happy in Mrs. Van Aken's class because it is my favorite class and my favorite teacher. Math is my favorite subject. When I'm at home being bored or not doing anything sometimes I start doing multiplication facts and for me its actually fun, some people think is boring but its not. I'm really good at multiplication and I enjoy doing it. Also I really like Mrs. VanAken, she's the best math teacher ever. I really love her and she's really funnny. I wish her so many things, I'm really sad I had to go and leave her, but she will always be in my heart and I won't forget the memories I have with her. I'm really going to miss her.
I felt good the entire year with you ms. vanaken i like to learn math from you and freetime you mrs. vanaken you are my favorite teacher in the world
Dear Mrs. Van Aken you were a great teacher I love all of the great memories we had together. I love the way you are! You showed us we can do anything! We all miss you so much. I will never forget you you remind me so much of my aunts! I love the way you are thank you for showing us we can do anything! <3
I liked your class becasue you let us use computers to practice multiplication and for free time. you were so nice to me and showed me things i didn't know i love you mrs vanaken thank you for everything for showing us math and for being a great person. in your class i felt happy, good,smart and we are never going to forget you you are awesome
Last school year was so fun with you and some of the papers we did were hard or easy but with your help patience and hope you helped me understand. math is very hard for me but you made it easy. it was the best year with help and work and fun activities and some fun memories. thank you for being the best math teacher ever.
I loved last school year so much that you let us have free time took us outside and had a lot of fun with you learning math you showed us great strategys that helped me learn alot more math than i knew YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
I love Mrs. VanAken she is my favorite teacher I like how she lets us work partners and how she explains it to us and she asks if we need help and if we need anything even if its not about work like if we have problems she says to come to her and she will help
Last school year was amazing with you as my homeroom teacher the lessons you teach were good i love learning lessons that you taught were amazing a lesson i disliked was the subtracting fractions and one thing i want you to know is that you are best teacher i had
She is a very good teacher, in her class the whole school year I was very pressured because my grades weren't that good but because mrs vanaken taught me very well and the way she teaches it and explains everything very well helps us learn much better, something that I love alot about her is that when I me or anyone was having personal problems she always helped us to find solutions.
Dear Mrs. Van Aken, this year I felt sad and happy because there was so much drama with friends last year but I am happy because I knew that I was moving on in life and knew that I was moving up a grade and more, your teaching style confused me sometimes because I had one way and you had your way but you always knew how to help me. What I like, wait not like, love about you is that I can count on you and you were never judging me of me crying and always knew what to do for me better. What I liked learning with you is that you always push me and that helps me a lot. Mrs. Van Aken I want to thank you for always believing in me and I know that sometimes/all the time I have an attitude and talk but I want to thank you for always listening to what I have to say thank you for always being someone I can count on with family problems and school problems. There is times where I'm sad or mad and you always ask and pull me out so you can talk to me Mrs. Vanaken I also want to thank you because you make me feel like home when I'm with you. You have inspired me to keep going in life and to not let nobody get to me you always protect me and will always fight for me whether its bad or good, I feel like you are an amazing teacher and I know I may not see you anymore but I know that my appreciation will mean something to you I love you Mrs. Vanaken Thank you!
