Why Teaching?

I originially started this blog to record my experiences studying Shakespeare in England, and since then, the blog has gone in many directions: poetry, fitness, our lives in TN, books, food...but I honestly thought that what this blog would mostly discuss are my reflections on teaching, on literature, on the changing nature of education and my search to discern how to teach literature--and teach students--thoughtfully, responsibly, and enthusiastically. Friday was a day that reminded me of this original aim and desire.

Elizabeth Samet, author of A Soldier's Heart: Reading Literature Through Peace and War at West Point, visited our school. Our senior literary society had the opportunity to converse with her over lunch prior to her lecture, so I was able to hear her perspective on teaching English to plebes and her approach to writing. Perhaps the comment I most appreciated was her response to the question, "What led you to write this book?" She said something along the lines of "I found I had a story to tell. Writing is much easier when you have a story to tell." So true. Sometimes even when writing this blog, I find I have little to "report"--and then some days, like today, I have so many thoughts and reflections that I want to record.

I love teaching. I love learning. I love my students. I love talking about literature and the art of writing with my students and my colleagues. I love working in an academic setting. I love meeting with my peers to discuss how we can better serve students. I love reading. I do not love grading, but every once in awhile, an essay rises to the surface that makes you think a student really got it. I love having my summers "off" to work on my craft. I love having the rest of the breaks to be with my family and enjoy them for an extended amount of time. I love that my days are broken into 49 minute periods. I love that I have time to exercise to my potential every day. I love that I spend most of my day on my feet. I love that I have dedicated myself to a profession where I will never be perfect and will always be reminded that I don't know it all or can't do it all or won't reach every student. There is always more to strive for.

Here's what I don't love about teaching: the parents. I said it. 99% of the time, I interact with parents who are kind and thoughtful and encouraging and helpful. But there is always the 1% out there who, even when I try not to let them get me down, are discouraging and sometimes downright disrespectful. Just this morning I got an email from a parent who blames me for her child's desire to not be in AP English next year. The email was curt and accusatory and, even though I know this parent to be uncommonly critical, it hurt.

I wish that our world could be more graceful. I wish that people could give each other the benefit of the doubt more often, be more generous in spirit, not expect perfection quite so much. I wish we could all trust each other a little more to do the right thing. I wish we could work together more to get where we want instead of trying to tear each other down quite so often. I wish people would take more time for reflection and less time for reaction. I wish we would listen more and talk less. I wish we could all see each other as gifts, as people who have unique talents and something to contribute. and I wish we could focus on those contributions, celebrate those, rather than harping on where we all fall short.

Thoughts like these remind me what type of a teacher, what type of a person, I want to be. I can't get around the fact that our system requires me to give grades or write comments on papers that could very easily be interpreted as criticism. I realize that my job, based as it is in inspiration and a joy of knowledge, contains elements that could enable me to be a negative force in a child's life. I hope to God that I never play that role. and I hope that most people realize that no teacher wants or intends to play that role. We didn't get into teaching to discourage talent. We got into it because we hoped we might inspire. May I always walk into my classroom with this aim in mind, and may I remember to show the grace and love to my students that I so long for from others in my life.