Reflection Letter

July 29, 2013

Professor Jerome McKeever

Corporate College West

23425 Center Ridge Road

Room 301 D

Westlake, Ohio 44145 

Dear Professor McKeever:

 

Wow, this semester went by so fast. I was concerned that with my work schedule, I might have a hard time keeping up with the speed of this class. I remember when I took your English 1010 class, I had just returned to taking college courses and I was concerned because it had been a very long time since I had to write an English paper. I was terrified of the MLA format and only managed an 8 out of 10 on the MLA format quiz. This time around, I nailed it!! Despite taking a sixteen week course in eight weeks, I was much more confident this semester because I am more comfortable with the MLA format, how the discussion boards work and what you expect from students taking your class. My only hesitation, this time around, was this course involved a lot of research and citing and documenting my sources. I am comfortable with research, after all, I do it almost every day at work.  

 

I found the resources you provided to be very useful. The MLA format samples and samples of different styles of writing were a great guide for me. Smarthinking.com is truly an invaluable tool. I really enjoy the discussion board aspect of the class. It is interesting to see what other people are thinking and their style of writing. I especially like when other people offer opinions or feedback on my discussion board posts. I found the ongoing dialogue to be insightful and I have  a blast  participating.

 

In English 1010, my thoughts and ideas came easily, but I struggled with putting them down on paper. This time around was much easier for me. I am not sure if I should attribute this to growing as a writer, or writing about a subject that I know so much about.

 

I chose that San Francisco 49ers as my subject because, outside of the Cleveland Browns, I love this team. I am not a band-wagoner though. I have followed them since I was young. I grew up watching and worshipping Joe Montana and Steve Young. I admired the talents of Jerry Rice and feel strongly that there will never be another receiver who is as talented, or has the work ethic he does. I wanted to be Ronnie Lott when I played defensive back in high school. I feel strongly that there has never been a more talented or ingenious coach than Bill Walsh. And, despite his fall from grace, there has never been a more passionate and invested owner than Eddie DeBartolo. He loved owning that team and he treated his players and all of his staff like they were his family.

 

I am excited about the future of the San Francisco 49ers. President Jed York has the team going in the right direction. He directs the team a lot like his Uncle Eddie did. The new stadium will be the best in the league (take that Jerry Jones). I like what Coach Harbaugh is doing with the team. The players are exciting to watch. Colin Kapernick really has a bright future. Frank Gore is virtually unstoppable. Patrick Willis is no doubt the leader of the best defense in the NFL. So, year after year, when my Cleveland Browns let me down at the factory of sadness, I always have my 49ers to watch.

 

The research aspect of this class was relatively easy for me. It involved walking to my home office and pulling a number of books from the shelves. There are easily 15 resources available to me right in my own home. I enjoyed writing all three papers because I absolutely loved the subject matter. The narrative on Jerry Rice was probably the easiest to write. I could have written so much on him, but I chose to focus on his formative years. I truly believe those years were crucial to making him, in my humble opinion, the greatest player ever to have played in the NFL. The hardest paper for me to write was the review paper. Without the stadium being finished, I had to focus on the stadium designs and various articles about the stadium. I hope to see it when it is finished. I would love to attend a 49ers game at Levi stadium. I promise, if I actually get to do that, I will send you another review and a picture!!

 

As I said last time I took your class, I really enjoyed having you as my professor for this course. You are a really good guy, a true class act. I can see your passion for teaching and your desire to have every single one of your students succeed. Your enthusiasm and desire is very infectious. I am sure I speak for other students, it makes you want to do better. It is also not lost on us that you take time to learn a little bit about each of us that is much appreciated. While I appreciate your thoughts and feedback regarding my school work, I truly enjoy our other conversations. I wish you the very best and I hope to hear from you outside of class. After all, football season is right around the corner. GO IRISH and GO BROWNS!!

 

Best Regards,

 

Jason Lowbridge