1. Mr. John Griffin, Master Education Master School Administration Aug. 2015- June 2016 NCMS 8 th grade ELA

3. Who Is Mr. Griffin? I have taught 33 years, I taught in Tennessee and West Virginia before moving to NC in 1989. I taught at Conover School and transferred to NCMS in 1995. This is my 21 st year at NCMS. I am a husband, a father, a father-in-law and a grandfather. My wife is an assistant principal at Rock Springs Elementary. One of my daughters-in-law is on the other eighth grade team here at NCMS.

4. Interest I attend Trinity Baptist Church in Newton. I follow UNC-Tar Heel basketball, Atlanta Braves baseball and love to read! Major Braves fan! Cameron Maybin is my favorite player until they trade him! heehee I am a line judge for NCMS volleyball. Every game! Right now I am reading Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee. Have you read Mockingjay? Part 2 will be in Theaters 11/20/15. Preorder through Fandango!

5. Supporter of N-C sports!

6. Family & extended family

7. Dogs are family too!

8. Be on time and be prepared! I will begin with a bell ringer everyday with a writing task. Bring 2 pencils to class daily. (Bell ringer journal) I prefer mechanical pencils. Once you are seated you will not get up and sharpen pencils. We will do three task each day. You will read everyday in class at some point. Bathroom, locker, other issues. During your breaks! No phones in classrooms. Enough said!

9. What you need to know: Expectations… AR- Throughout the year there will be a few required AR test. However, I don’t do points, etc…(less than 5 total.) A reader today is a leader tomorrow! Class requirements. ** Buy you a flash drive! We will write three to four major papers this year. Bring 2 Mechanical pencils everyday to class. Bell ringer journal everyday. Writing journal every Tuesday. Lockers and bathroom breaks…..you have 3 minutes… take care of business and don’t be late!

10. It is my goal to prepare you for high school. You will hear me make this statement a great deal, “if you were in English I and the work and effort you are investing, would it be enough to earn credit towards graduation requirements?” Dr. Whisnant and staff are working together to instill our motto: Be Responsible, Be Respectful & Be Safe! It’s a new day at NCMS! We are Newton-Conover!

11. You are a leader! Red Devil Pride Code of conduct…. “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” is one of my favorite statements. I have high expectations and when you transition to NCHS you will be prepared for English I if you work hard. What is your personal best? As 8 th graders I expect you to present yourself as young ladies and young gentlemen. Ladies will ALWAYS leave first! If you are an athlete – I hold you to a higher standard if you are going to represent our school. Take pride in your actions, your language and be of good character!