The Best Thank You

My AP asked me what the best thing about my first year was in my end of year review. I said something about how I loved teaching writing--that I felt I came up with engaging writing assignments and motivated poor and excellent writers alike. But, I spoke too soon. The two best moments happened on the last day of school.

My biggest goal as a teacher, my "philosophy of teaching" if you will, is to show kids how to learn on their own. I would rather my students feel like they have control over their learning--know what inspires them, how to find information, how to process and develop critical thinking skills--than know my students are able to regurgitate the difference between expository and descriptive writing. On the last day, I received a small clue that maybe I'd had some success.

I assigned a very open-ended project for my ninth grade honors final. I told them that we'd spent all semester learning how to approach different genres of writing, how to make meaning from the text and connections to real life. Most of the time I'd been walking them through the process, and now was their opportunity to read a text, dive in, and "show me what you've got." They were a little nervous. I was a little nervous.

The first couple days of, gasp!, unstructured time didn't go so hot. I watched as several members of the class milled about the room. One kid played the guitar for awhile. Another kid went to sleep. I considered scrapping the project idea, leading discussions for the last few days and giving a nice, easy multiple choice scan-tron final. But, I didn't. Instead, I gave a pep-talk, and they got their act together.

Groups of 3-5 tackled either a theme or a character from the book of their choice and prepared a 10-15 minute presentation for the class. A couple groups made power point presentations, one group led a nifty songwriting activity, one group made an imovie (about naturalism vs. technology!), and one group created an "character experience" by bringing in objects to represent their character and made-up artifacts from the book (and cookies!). Though I was sitting there with a nasty ear infection and no hearing in my left ear, I was beaming. But, wait, that's not the best thing.

During one of the presentations, I had to go to the bathroom. The group had just handed out a survey that the class was to complete and then discuss. I told them that I'd be right back and bolted off to the bathroom. Unfortunately, the closest bathroom is all the way on the other end of the school, so it took me a minute to get back.

God bless that minute, because when I returned and opened my classroom door, I saw the most amazing thing--everyone seated (except for the presenting group), 10 eager hands in the air, listening avidly, avidly I tell you, to the conversation. As I slipped into the back of the room, Holly, one of the presenters, said that she was sorry they didn't wait for me. I sat down in the back and watched as these three girls led a really good discussion about their theme--one of the best we've had all semester. Almost everyone contributed something, and they felt ok to disagree with each other--but only after hearing each other's logic.

I was, like, totally unnecessary.

The other best moment came to me when my 3rd period class let out, and one of my ninth grade girls came came up to me with a little present. I really tried to connect with this girl this semester because  she was new to the school and all out of place. Her mom is totally brilliant, and they've lived all over the world. She'd just gotten back from living in London, and she came with all the emotional baggage of her broad cultural experience and her past hyper-progressive education to good old public school in the South.

While adjusting to her new town and school this semester, she read the complete works of Dickens in her spare time. She answers all my many grammar questions. But she laughs when I tell her that she's gonna be an English professor. She plans on being a professional cellist.

She gave me a journal with kitties on it. On the inside, she'd written a note.

For Ms. Hipteacher,
I have genuinely enjoyed being in your class. Out of all my teachers, ever, you are one of the best teachers I've ever had. Your passion for your profession is a great gift. When I first came to _HS, I didn't expect to stay, or even like it. I felt like no one could understand what I've been through (But those thoughts gradually stopped). But now I've learned that some people are worth getting to know, and to let people get to know me. I've finally let my guard down! Anyways, just wanted to let you know how much I loved your class.

I read her note after she left, and I just sat down for a minute. I looked at my classroom--all the desks, the posters I've put up, all the random masks and visuals my students have created--and I realized something.

Even though this is the hardest job I can imagine, even though I've walked around in a state of perpetual exhaustion all year, and even though I used to make more money answering the telephone when I was sixteen, I have the best job ever.

It might not happen every semester, or every year, but it can happen. I can be that teacher--the one that makes a difference.

Hot damn! One year down.

Comments

[Dave]

I just finished my 12 year of teaching, and moments like those are as precious as they are rare. But they do keep you coming back.

Dammit. :P

Congrats on making through your first year. Well done. I'm going to make this blog a permanent stopping place from now on. Thanks.

[Alastair]

Wow,

It is wonderful to know that there are young teachers starting out who are still like you. Way to go! Next year will be even more fun and rewarding. Don't ever quit, never loose hope. If you don't... they will never forget you! And it will all be worth it.

[Teachers Speak]

Hi, I was looking at your site and thought you might be interested in a project I am working on. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

Currently, I am a First Grade Teacher in Bronx, NY. I am compiling the personal, candid stories of NYC Public School Teachers for use in an upcoming book that explores the accomplishments, struggles, and everyday disappointments that are synonymous with being a NYC Public School Teacher. Specifically, I am searching for the stories that only teachers would ever know how to tell. Your contributions may focus on different aspects of life as a NYC Public School Teacher. Possible topics may include:

• Relationships with students
• Interaction with your principal, vice-principal or other administration
• Relationships with fellow teachers
• Constraints of curriculum demands
• Interaction with students’ parents and/or guardians
• School community
• Affects of teaching on your personal life
• School hierarchy

Of course, if you feel compelled to write about a topic that does not fit into one of the categories please do so.

Bottom line: Your voices are important. Your voices deserve to be acknowledged. Your voices need to be heard.

Thank you ahead of time for your honesty and courage. Please send your stories and include: Name, address, school’s borough, grade level taught, years of teaching experience, and whether you would like your name published or remain anonymous.

Entries can be mailed to the following address or email:

“Teachers Speak” teachersspeak@hotmail.com
346 West 84th Street
#3R
New York, NY 10024

Please visit my website and post a comment.
http://teachersspeak.blogspot.com
Thank you for choosing to be part of this journey!

[Lectrice]

Interesting. Do you know where in London your ex-pat student is from?

[Matthias]

Congratulations on your first year. Your blog is awesome, very enjoyable. Looking forward to read more...

Dancing With Tears In My Eyes

Matt

[Ramona]

FIrst, let me say that you have a great mbunch of cds listed to the right of your blog!!! Second, congrats on the one year! Good job! I think you are right on the money with your philosophy. I have this article that you should read. Its about a teacher who used music to teach kids poetry. She took something that they were into and used it to teach them about something they thought was 'boring' and 'no fun'. Take a look:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/content.cfm?content_type=article&content_type_id=5225

[Peter Temes]

HipTeacher,

What a great year -- and what a pleasure to have looked over your shoulder as you've found your way through.

I just got back from a three-week intensive Great Books program for middle school students at Amherst College (http://www.greatbooksprogram.com). I want to share a story, though it's half ego and I apologize for the imposition. . .

One of the final pieces we discuss is Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and I like to think I do a good job of it. About half the deal is conversation (with a group of 50, but in a great tiered-seating room that makes it work), largely about what government "of the people, by the people, and for the people" can mean. But the other half is my sermon, about Lincoln listening to the dead, us listening to Lincoln, listening to Jefferson, and recognizing that the meaning of the sacrifices in the Civil War and the American Revolution is incomplete - - that we, as citizens, make that meaning real, or make the lives lost in those struggles diminish in meaning, based on what we believe and what we do in our lives today.

After then end of that lecture, a fine young kid came down and shook my hand, and literally shed a tear. Best moment yet in a lot of years trying to play this game. . . . Peter

[Dancewriter]

Great post. I hope your future years are as great as your first. A former teacher myself, I know how rewarding even the smallest positive sign can be and how lucky you are that you were able to see some of those signs so quickly. (They sometimes take years.) Back in 1994, I was a math teacher outside Washington, DC and had this really obnoxious but quite likable kid in my algebra I class. He was quite the handful. Several years later I was surprised to receive an email from him telling me that he had gone on to major in actuarial science (math!) and that he was preparing to do an internship in the field. He opened his email with "you may remember me - I was that obnoxious kid in your second period algebra class." Yeah, I remembered him and how flattered I was that he not only took the time and effort to find me on the internet but that he felt compelled to tell me about his math major. Makes it all worthwhile.

Great post - great blog. Thanks...

[Kris]

Heh. Once upon a long ago, a friend and I were taken to task in a high school class for talking, and given the assignment of teaching the lesson ourselves the next day. I think that was the most prepared I ever was for a class - we presented our lesson, and the oddity of *students* teaching the class made for a very interested group of students. It was a great lesson in "shaking things up" when all else is not working.

Sounds like your students are very lucky kids!

[Ryan]

I'm sure you will get thousands of comments on this one, but I wanted to let you know how much this moved me. I have not started teaching yet, I have two more years of school, but when I do I can only hope and pray that I make as much of an impact as you have just described. I agreed with everything you said in this one blog and I hope to add you to my blog community. Thank You.

[msmadrid]

yuck

[jessica]

where have you been?

[Amanda]

I know I missed graduation, but I still check your blog from time to time, and I hope everything worked out with the last project crap. I'm in New York finally. Love it, and you and Amy should take a road trip. I've got open rooms... Amanda (ASC)

[Deb]

Congratulations! keep the gift close at hand, so when you have one of those inevitable bad days, you can remind yourself just why you are doing the job!

Deb
http://littlemissteacher.blogspot.com

[Chris Best]

I have to agree that that sort of thing just makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it. But are you back for another year???

[ruska treldis]

well done i think your site is great

[Kerrie]

Hipteacher,
I am doing a "Scavenger Hunt" project for my technology in teaching class. One of my requirements was to find an educational blog and respond to an entry. Your entry has inspired me at a time when I feel like I'm never going to make it. I am currently in college completing my bachelor's degree in Deaf Education. After reading the experience of your first year of teaching, I am eager to complete my first year of teaching. Thank you for being inspirational and sharing your thoughts, feelings and ideas as a teacher. Good luck in years to come!
Kerrie

[Darth Vader]

So are you going to start posting more 'good reads' for us to enjoy? I'm missing your wit and stories from the classroom...

[olivia]

Look! It's you!
http://www.justinwinslow.com/images/gallery/nutsHalfPage.jpg

[Jo]

A really touching description of the absolute joys of being a teacher. You can't buy this kind of satisfaction. The highs and lows of teaching are exhiliarating and addictive. Thanks so much for sharing the thrill of your experience with me.

[Melisa]

WOW! I am so glad I found you. I am a new teacher this year and struggling with so much. Sometimes I feel like nothing I do is right. It is wonderful and gives me hope on a dark day that there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Are you still teaching in this new year? I would love to hear what is new now.

[Lisa]

It must be so exciting to see all your hard work pay off. I've heard that the first year is the hardest - congratulations on making it through. I'm a sophomore English education major, so in just a few years I'll be where you stand. It's amazing to see the impact we can have on students, even in my small field experiences.

[Frank]

HI,
I AINT gonna let U down but,I was like you in my first year and now after 10 years I have turned into a old ****.
I hope you say the same thing after a couple of years where no one gives a **** to what you do!

[Coral]

I miss your blog. I was an avid reader, I hope you post again soon.

[Jennifer]

I see that this post is old but I found your blog when searching for those of teachers. But as an aspiring high school English teacher, this post was very inspirational and amazing.
My philosophy is based in providing a rich and stimulating environment to truly inspire students. I hope to allow them some freedom in what they choose to focus on so that it is something that is meaningful for them. I believe that it is through this approach, rather than a strict structured curriculum with little wiggle room, that true learning takes place.
I hope your success as a teacher continues. It sounds like you're definitely a good one! :)