Teacher Of ELA In High School
• I believe the role of a teacher of ELA is to not only teach students how to write and think critically but to provide students with the opportunity to express themselves through writing.
• In high school, ELA was important to me because it was the opportunity that I had to truly express myself. I was able to advocate for myself and my community through writing. Discussions gave me a chance to really have a voice. It was the only class in school that I felt safe. I try to create the same experience for my students. ELA is important because so much is left up to interpretation that all of my students have the chance to find a “home” in my classroom.
• Students should leave my ELA class curious and ready to question the world around them. Of
course I want my students to know how to write well. I also want them to understand why education is important. I want them to be able to advocate for themselves. I want my students to leave my class aware of what they can accomplish but always questioning how they can accomplish more.
• Good ELA instruction should provide students with the opportunity explore rather than being “taught at.”
• Last year, I didn’t know how the common core standards should inform my teaching. I followed the curriculum guide closely and did exactly what it demanded of me. However, I had no clue if my students were progressing towards the standards or not. This year, I constantly refer to the standards in order to make sure my students are truly making academic gains.
My upbringing is similar to that of my students. I think of the time teachers tried to teach me but instead they were just talking at me. I remember not having a say in my education. I also remember teachers who challenged me to think outside of myself. They encouraged me to challenge those around me. I’m not in my classroom to disparage my students from using slang or to teach them the “right” way to write and speak. I’m hoping to give my students the opportunity to find their voices. I believe ELA is the chance to do just that. There is so much we can do while teaching ELA. The possibilities are endless.
• In high school, ELA was important to me because it was the opportunity that I had to truly express myself. I was able to advocate for myself and my community through writing. Discussions gave me a chance to really have a voice. It was the only class in school that I felt safe. I try to create the same experience for my students. ELA is important because so much is left up to interpretation that all of my students have the chance to find a “home” in my classroom.
• Students should leave my ELA class curious and ready to question the world around them. Of
course I want my students to know how to write well. I also want them to understand why education is important. I want them to be able to advocate for themselves. I want my students to leave my class aware of what they can accomplish but always questioning how they can accomplish more.
• Good ELA instruction should provide students with the opportunity explore rather than being “taught at.”
• Last year, I didn’t know how the common core standards should inform my teaching. I followed the curriculum guide closely and did exactly what it demanded of me. However, I had no clue if my students were progressing towards the standards or not. This year, I constantly refer to the standards in order to make sure my students are truly making academic gains.
My upbringing is similar to that of my students. I think of the time teachers tried to teach me but instead they were just talking at me. I remember not having a say in my education. I also remember teachers who challenged me to think outside of myself. They encouraged me to challenge those around me. I’m not in my classroom to disparage my students from using slang or to teach them the “right” way to write and speak. I’m hoping to give my students the opportunity to find their voices. I believe ELA is the chance to do just that. There is so much we can do while teaching ELA. The possibilities are endless.