How interesting that this summer is my tenth year high school reunion. As I contemplated how to begin this blog, I was brought back to my dear old days of high school. One year in particular...my junior year. Before then, I had been a decent student, not top of the class or anything, but teachers liked me and I did my work. This was the year, however, that my likability as a student was disproved. My English teacher (it is foretelling that I can't remember her name off the top of my head, I must have tried to suppress the memory), to say the least, hated me.
After my first poor grade on an easy, I put forth more effort into the work. I tried desperately to write my essays in a way to avoid the painful red glares of her teacher comments on those previously written. But, to no avail. It got to the point that I'm sure she bought a new red pen every time I had to turn in a new essay. I even have a photograph of me with two or three of my classmates on a day we received graded essays from her. Everyone in the picture is smiling, but me. Three A's (maybe a B) and me, holding up my big, fat, red, circled F. (I'll try to find it so I can post it!)
At that point in my life, had anyone told me I'd be writing for pleasure one day, I would have literally laughed in their face. I hated it. I hated my thoughts. I hated reading the texts she provided because I clearly didn't "get" them. I even started hating school! Gasp! I was hurt. It wouldn't be easy to come back from that torment. (Needless to say, I reached out for her help, but again to no avail.)
I, however, was one of the lucky ones. She refused to put me into AP English my senior year. So instead I took Dual Enrollment English, meaning I was able to get college credit for the class. And guess what I discovered? I could write! I wasn't perfect, mind you, and am still not. But, I learned my thoughts mattered and I could put them into coherent sentences. (You may be thinking otherwise at this point in your reading...)
From then on and through college I was challenged by my teachers and professors, not discounted. No, my writing will never be perfect, but it's good, especially if I'm writing about something I love and care about.
Nowadays, one of my favorite things to write are the narrative letters to my students' parents. A perfect example, that when you're writing about something you love, it matters.
And now, after 4 exciting, exhausting, difficult, fun, and downright wonderful years of teaching, I'm taking a summer off to do just that...write.
I decided recently to document my journey as a writer this summer for the benefit of my students. What better way to teach the process of writing to my students then to share it with them directly. I have no idea where this will lead, but I hope there are a few laughs and (hopefully) not too many tears. Enjoy!
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