Dear Students,
Welcome to “Web-based” Writing Strategies (086). I’m sure you are excited that you get to take a writing class online and not have to listen to boring lectures, look at ugly instructors who spit when they talk, or listen to other students ramble about really dumb things that happened at Fred Meyer last night. And, most important…you can work on the class when you want and where you want…and IN what you want. I also realize that class does not start for several weeks, but most of you may be interested in getting your textbook and be ready to “hit the ground running” when class actually does begin.
So, since you never see me or talk to me, I thought I would at least tell you a little about myself. If you really don’t care who I am, you can skip this paragraph.
My name is Gary Leiter (call me Gary). I live in Sterling, Alaska and have been in Alaska since 1981. I began teaching in 1984 and feel like I have a few things figured out. I teach math, English Comp and English Lit as well as this course. I have two grown daughters, one is a math teacher and the other is a stay-at-home mom with 3 daughters and one son. I have been married for 37 years to a girl who was actually in my kindergarten class, even though girls back then had cooties (it’s a great story by the way). I spend lots of time hiking and kayaking on the Kenai Peninsula. Over the years I have owned a business called Adventure Alaska Wilderness Education Programs where I teach students backpacking and wilderness skills, cold water safety and survival, small boat safety, etc. I have also run lodges on the west side of Cook Inlet and captained halibut boats (just trying to dispel the “geeky English teacher” myth). I don’t sit around and program computers or quote random poets and writers...OK, maybe I do a little bit... but don't tell my friends. I also hate golf and Facebook. A favorite pastime is to take my boat out, find a quiet cove, and just listen to life going on around me. I am also working on my second Master's Degree (I know, I'm an idiot) and a doctor's degree (OK, I'm more than an idiot), so I feel your pain as I too, am taking classes.
OK, now back to course info. I use the internet extensively for this class. You can watch lectures, get assignments, read the syllabus, and get all the “stuff” you need to be successful in this class online. I also understand that for many of you, this is the first online course you have taken and I plan on walking with you every step of the way. PLEASE email me or text me when you are confused or have questions.
THE WEBSITE BELOW IS THE STARTING POINT FOR THE COURSE
**Please don't start any of the assignments early since some of them take further instructions from me.
I strongly suggest you look through the info and get ready for class before it begins
ALSO, YOU NEED TO GET A BOOK ASAP. THE UAA BOOKSTORES DO NOT ALWAYS CARRY THE BOOK SO YOU WILL NEED TO ORDER ONE RIGHT AWAY. The book info is in the syllabus and at this link:
(The correct book has a "cartoony" picture of a few dead trees and a footpath to a tree with leaves)
VERY IMPORTANT: If you want to impress me early on (why wouldn't you want to??), read the syllabus and don't ask me questions that are answered in the syllabus. If you ask me questions that are covered in the syllabus, you will get an email that says: "it's in the syllabus". Other legitimate questions will gladly be answered, so don't hesitate to ask.
ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT: I am a really nice guy, so if you get an email that seems to be rude, it's not...you are just reading it with a "mean" voice.
Hope to have a good class with you.
Gary E. Leiter
***Also, please use the email address: gleiter@alaska.edu for correspondence
***Please email me to let me know you received this and to give me the email you would like me to correspond with you.
Writing Strategies
Intro Letter
