Sophomore Year: The Teacher That Inspired Me
By sophomore year of high school I was not sure what I really wanted to focus my life on when it came to a profession. I was leaning towards teaching choral secondary education, but there wasn't much weight on that. When I started attending this course, I was extremely excited because I heard so much about the teacher Ms. Keating. I had a lackluster experience with my 9th grade English teacher because she had favorites, so I was excited to have a teacher who was praised by so many students for her care for English and her students. The first thing that surprised me about this teacher was that she knew about me for years because she had my sister as a student. That personal connection we had on the first day because of her caring to know was a great first impression to have between a student and a teacher.
The first time I realized that English was going to be something I wanted to focus my career on was when Ms. Keating was teaching about the novel The Grapes of Wrath. Although this book was not my favorite by any means, the kinds of projects she wanted us to do for the book to express our thoughts that pertained to it was so much fun. One of the projects she let us choose between was make a soundtrack to important parts in the novel to you and explain why they fit so well. This project allowed for me to take music that I loved and incorporate it into a novel that I found boring and gave it some power that I did not expect. This project made me realize that kinds of projects I could potentially teach to my students, and I then thought to myself, "my students...I really would love to have my own students, in fact, I really want to teach."
Ms. Keating always picked projects or writing assignments that would help each of her students strive to become better writers. She made sure that the student always got to pick a topic they found appropriate, and she usually never turned down anyone with a new idea. Her way of teaching got me so interested trying to teach in a way that the students love coming to class. Everyone enjoyed coming to Ms. Keatings' class because the vibe was extremely inviting. She made the classroom a representation of herself because each wall had a splash of personality. She had pictures of her favorite television shows when she was in college and had funny inspirational quotes that she deemed worthy of being put up on her wall. One of her walls was filled from top to bottom with senior pictures that students have given her over the years, and that represents that she is extremely well liked because not many teachers can say they have an entire giant wall dedicated to her past students.
This was the year that all of us students had to write an eight page research paper, and we all had no idea how we were going to be able to manage that. Ms. Keating knew that I was passionate about gay rights and marriage so she pulled me aside after class one day and asked me about writing my paper on that. I decided that she truly cared that I was obsessed about that topic, and she helped by giving me several online sources to turn to if I was stuck at all. I ended up getting 100% on the paper, and I was could not believe it. I remember asking her how it was even possible because although I truly cared above and beyond for this topic, I was a slacker. High school was the time where I completely slacked off when it came to any sort of assignment, but she told me that it looks like I worked my butt off to make this paper worthy of an A. She told me that the material was great and that I gave grade examples as to what I cared for, and it showed through my paper. Ms, Keating never gave up on any of us students, and she always tried to push us towards becoming stronger with reading and writing and challenged us to be the best we can be as people. Looking back at my sophomore year, I have to say this was my favorite English class that I took throughout my K-12 career, and it showed me that I have a passion for wanting to teach, because Ms. Keating gave me the power to feel like it is worth it.
The first time I realized that English was going to be something I wanted to focus my career on was when Ms. Keating was teaching about the novel The Grapes of Wrath. Although this book was not my favorite by any means, the kinds of projects she wanted us to do for the book to express our thoughts that pertained to it was so much fun. One of the projects she let us choose between was make a soundtrack to important parts in the novel to you and explain why they fit so well. This project allowed for me to take music that I loved and incorporate it into a novel that I found boring and gave it some power that I did not expect. This project made me realize that kinds of projects I could potentially teach to my students, and I then thought to myself, "my students...I really would love to have my own students, in fact, I really want to teach."
Ms. Keating always picked projects or writing assignments that would help each of her students strive to become better writers. She made sure that the student always got to pick a topic they found appropriate, and she usually never turned down anyone with a new idea. Her way of teaching got me so interested trying to teach in a way that the students love coming to class. Everyone enjoyed coming to Ms. Keatings' class because the vibe was extremely inviting. She made the classroom a representation of herself because each wall had a splash of personality. She had pictures of her favorite television shows when she was in college and had funny inspirational quotes that she deemed worthy of being put up on her wall. One of her walls was filled from top to bottom with senior pictures that students have given her over the years, and that represents that she is extremely well liked because not many teachers can say they have an entire giant wall dedicated to her past students.
This was the year that all of us students had to write an eight page research paper, and we all had no idea how we were going to be able to manage that. Ms. Keating knew that I was passionate about gay rights and marriage so she pulled me aside after class one day and asked me about writing my paper on that. I decided that she truly cared that I was obsessed about that topic, and she helped by giving me several online sources to turn to if I was stuck at all. I ended up getting 100% on the paper, and I was could not believe it. I remember asking her how it was even possible because although I truly cared above and beyond for this topic, I was a slacker. High school was the time where I completely slacked off when it came to any sort of assignment, but she told me that it looks like I worked my butt off to make this paper worthy of an A. She told me that the material was great and that I gave grade examples as to what I cared for, and it showed through my paper. Ms, Keating never gave up on any of us students, and she always tried to push us towards becoming stronger with reading and writing and challenged us to be the best we can be as people. Looking back at my sophomore year, I have to say this was my favorite English class that I took throughout my K-12 career, and it showed me that I have a passion for wanting to teach, because Ms. Keating gave me the power to feel like it is worth it.
Junior Year: The Year That Almost Ruined My English Career
After my fantastic year of enjoying the English curriculum that was placed before me by Ms. Keating, i was ready to move onto a more rigorous course load, so I chose World Literature Humanities because Ms. Keating stated that it would be worth my time and i would definitely learn a lot. Once I got into the classroom my goals were set high because the previous year was a high point in my English career. But once I met the teacher (name withheld just because I don't want to be rude and have her find this someday) and realized how she taught, I knew that this year was going to be a whole lot different compared to the year prior. My teacher for World Lit Humanities was the highest paid teacher in the county because she has been at the high school for what seems like an eternity, and she made sure all of us students knew that. She always smelled of smoke every morning because she just got done smoking cigarettes right before class, and the small was nauseating at 7:45 in the morning after just waking up and having a little breakfast. She was not the happiest person to be around either, and I can honestly say I probably saw her smile about a handful of times. This teacher told us that this course was going to be like an AP class, but without the AP final at the end, so if we felt like we were not ready to "actually be smart", then we needed to switch classes. I was so caught off guard by the way she said this that i was extremely nervous for the school year.
The teacher made us do a lot of paper work, and it was not paper work that was fun by any means. She would net allow us to pick between projects, but instead make us all work on a project that she probably has used for the past ten years on the same books she has been teaching for the past twenty. She did not allow for any of us students to discuss the books after we read the allotted pages she assigned, but instead she would discuss certain terms that we needed to know for the test that covers the book, and have us rehash these terms over and over again. I felt like I was not truly learning in this class because of her teaching approach. It also did not help that when it came to her tests they were extremely difficult to even try and get an A in. Each test usually was comprised of thirty to forty terms that we needed to know, a section that would be about who said which quote, although the quotes usually were the most absurd and had no real relevance (at least I did not think they had relevance) at all. Lastly, we would have two or three essays that had to be in the five paragraph format. I felt extremely discouraged in this class.
I remember one time that really made me feel like this was not going to be one of the focuses I wanted to go into when we had a segment on William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The teacher allowed us to pick which character we were going to read aloud throughout the entire play. I chose Macbeth because I figured it was smart to be the main character as I will be dealing with the majority of the main plot and huge points in the story. After we spent two weeks reading the play, and discussing all the terms and what they meant, and some themes that the teacher found significant, we took the test. This was the first English test I have ever failed, and I was Macbeth THE ENTIRE TIME. I studied for at least a good four hours two days before the test and the day before the exam. I knew all the important quotes that were discussed in class, but instead she gave us quotes that I felt had no real importance to what we discussed the entire class period. The final two essays we had write also made no real sense, and it would have been nice if she would have discussed the kinds of potential questions the essays could be based on. Instead I was completely off guard, and bombed the test.
This was one of the first times I thought to myself that I was not sure if English could be something I want to spend my entire life on. I was really big into choir at the same time and felt that was a potential profession I was going to pursue, so I was really contemplating what was more important. This teacher almost ruined my English career, or in other words, I almost allowed for this teacher to ruin my English career. After a semester of enduring this teachers nonstop ridiculous homework and tasks she had us do, I realized that it was just a teacher that I do not see myself as acting like. I would rather focus on material that could allow my students to challenge themselves in a way that they found interesting and entertaining. I was not going to let one teacher ruin my chance of teaching students.
The teacher made us do a lot of paper work, and it was not paper work that was fun by any means. She would net allow us to pick between projects, but instead make us all work on a project that she probably has used for the past ten years on the same books she has been teaching for the past twenty. She did not allow for any of us students to discuss the books after we read the allotted pages she assigned, but instead she would discuss certain terms that we needed to know for the test that covers the book, and have us rehash these terms over and over again. I felt like I was not truly learning in this class because of her teaching approach. It also did not help that when it came to her tests they were extremely difficult to even try and get an A in. Each test usually was comprised of thirty to forty terms that we needed to know, a section that would be about who said which quote, although the quotes usually were the most absurd and had no real relevance (at least I did not think they had relevance) at all. Lastly, we would have two or three essays that had to be in the five paragraph format. I felt extremely discouraged in this class.
I remember one time that really made me feel like this was not going to be one of the focuses I wanted to go into when we had a segment on William Shakespeare's Macbeth. The teacher allowed us to pick which character we were going to read aloud throughout the entire play. I chose Macbeth because I figured it was smart to be the main character as I will be dealing with the majority of the main plot and huge points in the story. After we spent two weeks reading the play, and discussing all the terms and what they meant, and some themes that the teacher found significant, we took the test. This was the first English test I have ever failed, and I was Macbeth THE ENTIRE TIME. I studied for at least a good four hours two days before the test and the day before the exam. I knew all the important quotes that were discussed in class, but instead she gave us quotes that I felt had no real importance to what we discussed the entire class period. The final two essays we had write also made no real sense, and it would have been nice if she would have discussed the kinds of potential questions the essays could be based on. Instead I was completely off guard, and bombed the test.
This was one of the first times I thought to myself that I was not sure if English could be something I want to spend my entire life on. I was really big into choir at the same time and felt that was a potential profession I was going to pursue, so I was really contemplating what was more important. This teacher almost ruined my English career, or in other words, I almost allowed for this teacher to ruin my English career. After a semester of enduring this teachers nonstop ridiculous homework and tasks she had us do, I realized that it was just a teacher that I do not see myself as acting like. I would rather focus on material that could allow my students to challenge themselves in a way that they found interesting and entertaining. I was not going to let one teacher ruin my chance of teaching students.
Livejournal: Well That Was Awkward
I remember that when I was a teenager in high school, I was completely full of angst. There was so much "drama" in my life, and I did not know how to express myself that much. But Livejournal was there to comfort me during my horrible days and it encompassed all of my high school career and the trials and tribulations I felt throughout those four years; but now that I take a look back I realize that I was just a complete pain in the ass. So I am going to allow for one of my posts to be brought to the open, and you will get to see it in all of its angsty, swearing glory.
I won't even give you the title because of the profanity is extremely immature, but as you read it, I am all over the place with spelling because of how much of an irritable High Schooler I was.
Starting to see what could be the buds of leaves on trees, which is making me very thankful that they are coming back. A good shade will be needed with the warmth of heat coming our way.
Cabaret Dance practice was basically a massacre to the umpth power, with the sheer fact I am SOOOO out of shape in a sense that I need to work out. Not saying my body is gross or anything, I like my body, just I need to get my stamina and stuff back up, because it is lackadaisical as of lately. If I have to hear "You Cant Stop The Beat" anymore though, I might have to give someone a serious beating. It's so weird though as well, with the being in the front row this year, as the past couple years being in the 3rd row and being center-center and not worrying about messing up because there were people in front of me. Now I'm as of right now Front-center and that is really fricken scary.
Having the first dance rehearsal has shown me that school is so close to ending as well. People are sending out their open house invites, and my mother is buying the plates and table settings and told me she is hiding pop already for my open house. That's in two months and she is already getting ready. But really, two months is so close.
Also, for the first time ever I have gotten student of the month, which I am totally shocked about, and get to go out for breakfast Thursday I think it is. Which hello, no first hour to deal with...Thanks ^_^
I have to just get in the swing of things, school isn't killing me or anything, it is becoming one of those I am sick of waking up for this kind of feelings, but in less than a month I will be out of school.
I have so much stuff I have to do, in the sense that hanging out with friends and Cabaret and Piano are the only things I have to do. I mean that isn't a lot on my plate, but adding a few other things I have been dealing with in my life is somewhat of a gamble on what should go first in my life as of right now.
I want my friends to be my main priority, the few that I enjoy hanging out with I want to hang out with all the time, for the sheer fact I don't want to lose them even though it is inevitable.(in a way)
Just a lot of stuff to think about this upcoming month. Not to mention my birthday/prom, fucking concoction of hell.
I won't even give you the title because of the profanity is extremely immature, but as you read it, I am all over the place with spelling because of how much of an irritable High Schooler I was.
Starting to see what could be the buds of leaves on trees, which is making me very thankful that they are coming back. A good shade will be needed with the warmth of heat coming our way.
Cabaret Dance practice was basically a massacre to the umpth power, with the sheer fact I am SOOOO out of shape in a sense that I need to work out. Not saying my body is gross or anything, I like my body, just I need to get my stamina and stuff back up, because it is lackadaisical as of lately. If I have to hear "You Cant Stop The Beat" anymore though, I might have to give someone a serious beating. It's so weird though as well, with the being in the front row this year, as the past couple years being in the 3rd row and being center-center and not worrying about messing up because there were people in front of me. Now I'm as of right now Front-center and that is really fricken scary.
Having the first dance rehearsal has shown me that school is so close to ending as well. People are sending out their open house invites, and my mother is buying the plates and table settings and told me she is hiding pop already for my open house. That's in two months and she is already getting ready. But really, two months is so close.
Also, for the first time ever I have gotten student of the month, which I am totally shocked about, and get to go out for breakfast Thursday I think it is. Which hello, no first hour to deal with...Thanks ^_^
I have to just get in the swing of things, school isn't killing me or anything, it is becoming one of those I am sick of waking up for this kind of feelings, but in less than a month I will be out of school.
I have so much stuff I have to do, in the sense that hanging out with friends and Cabaret and Piano are the only things I have to do. I mean that isn't a lot on my plate, but adding a few other things I have been dealing with in my life is somewhat of a gamble on what should go first in my life as of right now.
I want my friends to be my main priority, the few that I enjoy hanging out with I want to hang out with all the time, for the sheer fact I don't want to lose them even though it is inevitable.(in a way)
Just a lot of stuff to think about this upcoming month. Not to mention my birthday/prom, fucking concoction of hell.