Oswego

October 3, 2000

These have I loved

A long time ago, in what seems like another life in another galaxy, I was an English teacher. I taught at a small school in South Carolina for three years, and, in many respects, they were the happiest years of my life. After some terrible turns of events prior to that time, and after a period of temporary jobs and indecision about what to do, I asked a question one day to a school administrator about the possibility of teaching English in a high school. To my astonishment, I was immediately offered a job teaching 7th and 8th grade. It came completely out of the blue. One minute I was adrift, the next minute my whole future seems to be presented to me. Of course I accepted the job because I felt I could not do otherwise, given the unbelieveable turn of events.

It turns out it was a good decision to take the job, and it did change my life for three years. It was a private school with a small enrollment, and I could teach while I was going to education grad school to get a master’s degree and my teaching credential. I spent all that first summer before the start of the school year anxiously reading all I could about teaching English, preparing lessons, and discovering what great master teachers such as Gilbert Highet had to say in books such as “The Art of Teaching.”

I was an undergraduate English major and so I had a grounding in literature and had always done well in the subject in high school. So it was a natural evolution. For years prior to that major crossroads I had been a newspaper reporter and editor.

The fall of 1980 came suddenly, and with it my first day in front of a class. I will never forget the nervousness and then elation that came over me at the end of that day. I had made it. I could do it. I had the positive energy and feelings that this was going to be a wonderful experience, and it was.

I discovered over those three years that there is no better way to savor and understand literature than to teach it. No better way to appreciate poetry than read it out loud and have students try their hand at writing it. No better way come to know the nuances of good writing than to pay careful attention to how others write, and to teach composition to students who at first are extremely reluctant and wary, only to see their attitudes turn around before long, and their confidence and poise grow month by month. It is an astonishing thing to see writing improve along with young people’s ability to express their thoughts openly and forthrightly. It is gratifying to see them mature and blossom into amazingly honest and candid writers, pouring out words that come from the heart. And yes, they kept journal entries and this was one of the most successful things they did. Now look at me, 20 years later, trying to put into practice what I taught so long ago.

What always delighted me was the spontaneity and freshness of the thoughts and emotions 13-14-year-olds are capable of unleashing in their writing. I pored over countless articles and teachers’ suggestions for teaching composition and making writing instruction work in the classroom, and some things succeeded and some things didn’t. But I ended up reading more remarkable short stories and poetry and essays than I ever dreamed possible for such young minds. But I realized that one of the reasons why they wrote so well was because I was able to convey to them how essential writing was, and how integral it was to their success in school. And also I showed them they could write and write well, even though they perhaps did not believe this at first. But when I read their work out loud to them, they saw that it was true.

One day, I told them prior to starting a writing assignment that they were to think about the most wonderful memories they had from vacations, when they were free to do what they wanted, when they were out seeing new places and doing things they had perhaps never done before. What did they love most about those best times of their lives? Or, conversely, I told them to think about what made them really happy and to compose a list of those things. And the list was to begin with the words, “These Have I Loved.” I read them an example of what I was talking about, and then I believe I told them some of my favorite memories of incidents or things that made me happy.

The results were absolutely astonishing. What they produced was poetry, words that evoked the magic of bringing their past experiences to life.

One 7th grade girl composed these lines:

These Have I Loved

White seagulls gliding over the ocean;
Children running through fields flying kites;
White, fluffy snow;
Children bundled up building snowmen;
People praying and opening their hearts to God;
Birds singing cheerful songs;
Children shouting with joy;
Soft music;
Rain falling down;
Babies cooing;
Fresh-cut grass;
Different perfume smells;
Soft breezes blowing through my hair;
and through bedroom curtains;
Soft baby skin;
Love.

And a 14-year-old 8th grade boy composed these words. I’ve come back to re-read them occasionally over the years. They create very vivid pictures in my mind.

These Have I Loved

The peak of a windy mountain top;
The view from atop a bridge;
towering over a bay with bright green water;
The peace of a lake and water;
the feeling of speeding down a hill on a bicycle;
Sitting around a fire on the beach at night roasting hotdogs;
The smell of a meadow filled with flowers and tall grass;
The feeling of winning;
Bright green grass;
Flying a kite in the middle of nowhere;
Reading a book by the edge of a stream;
Fishing in a clear, smooth river;
The rising of the sun on a clear, cool spring morning.

What memories I have of those days. You never forget. Teaching can make you feel truly alive and engaged in the lives, minds, and creative energy and sheer zest for living that the young have in such abundance. Would that more people in these changing times realized this and valued teachers for the immense contributions they can make. After my brief experience in the field, I have the utmost respect for those good and caring teachers who make the profession their life’s work. I salute them.

I am a Junior in college. My major is Secondary Education with a concentration in English. Thank you for writing this entry…I can only hope that I will have such a good effect on my future students.

Beautiful. Take care, my friend.

BBe

October 4, 2000

Very thoughtful….

Mrs. White – the teacher who taught me to love the written word. I bet there are a bunch of kids out there that will remember your name forever.

I knewit! (OK, was a hunch :)) Now I’m afraid to leave a note without double-checking grammar…:) Lucky students, I’d say. You always write such exquisite entries, dear man. Always a joy*.

Um-m…that was a mussy html attempt, ‘case you’re wondering. 🙂

I needed this tonight..thank you my friend.

where is your list? or is this your list? *smiling here*

These have I loved….your entries and your poems! 🙂 Your words bring alive times, places, and remind me of memories I have and those I can make.

Willy & Wilma

October 4, 2000

This I did love!

adrift

October 4, 2000

I agree with Willy!!! I’m sure you inspired many of those youthful minds as you inspire ours here on the OD. Youth ~ a glorious unscripted chapter in our lives, full of the vibrancy of life & dreams~ *smile*

Whenever I get stressed out by the demands of higher level music, I pay more attention to my private students. Their enthusiasm and fresh faces remind me why it’s so worth doing music despite the pain.

The best teachers are those who can learn from their students.

You stimulated, inspired the youths, and visaversa. A lift to both of you. That’s how it should be, but not always. This poem made me cry. Beautiful

Bramble

October 5, 2000

That was a wonderful exercise for the kids to do, and for us. Sometimes we don’t realise what we do love until we stop to think about it.

Yes, indeed, my friend. Wonderful, fresh alive poetry from the minds of youth are jewels that beyond price. I always wanted to teach but did not make it. I envy you and I also salute you! always,

We all have teachers who opened doors for us and changed us in some way. I am sure, whether you know it or not, that you are that person for some of your students.

This did I love, too. Especially those 2 poems your students wrote — fresh, original, unashamed, the way all our writing should be. This is a very moving entry & I, too, would like to read YOUR list…

Beautiful. After reading hours of micro, stats and accounting text, it is a wonderful thing to see the English language put to such good use.

I forgot I wasn’t signed in – that above note was left be me! Dayton

i wonder if some of your students became writers.

Thank you so much for your note. I admit to secretly hoping you would read that particular entry, before I post mundane travel accounts. Thank you. Will return to read this in a bit when I can savor it…

Terrific entry and what a wonderful muse for student writing. I noticed kite flying made both lists. I have a kite in the garage and it is going to fly tonight!

Now I understand an earlier entry re: reading the teen diarys. You sound as if you miss the teaching…

My 11th grade English teacher played poetry records for us. I heard poetry read properly for the first time, and I was transformed by what I heard. cont.

My “These I Have Loved” list would include all of my English teachers. They all encouraged my writing and made me feel like someone special!

The fact that you saved their work after all these years speaks volumes about the kind of teacher you were. I can imagine that you were the “light bulb” teacher (opening minds) for many, many students.

Thank you for your words. I wish you well, as I retire for the night. Sleep soundly, and take care tomorrow, my friend.

Gilbert Highet would be proud of you, Oswego. Have you ever considered going back to the classroom? The schools need people like you! I salute you for the admirable alertness expressed in your note to me.

I like what Osprey said and agree.Thank you for this entry. I know some of your kids will always remember you, what you taught them and feel good about themselves. Cait.

As always, this was a wonderful entry!

Love your sharing! Also taught poetry in a private school ,and in Jimmy Carter program and, a local College’s summer Academy. Really exciting,working with young people–elementary through high school!Gypsy Song

Oswego! I totally agree, and I, too, kept and still enjoy my students’ writing, especially those poem from being a poet-in-the-schools. I miss the thoughts that came to me as I taught about literature.

Great! Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.

I believe that the call to become a teacher is a sacred calling, as it is such a trusted and important role in society. Too bad it’s so underpaid. I suppose there are other payoffs, as shown in this entry. Lovely.

Oh, what a beautiful entry. Filled me with gratitude for my own “light-bulb” teacher in 7th grade. Does she know how much I appreciate her? –I am SO glad you spent that time teaching. Be well–

Aren’t young minds incredible, I have to keep reminding myself of that with my twin girls! lol. I’ve had many wonderful teachers. My favorite was one while I was in nursing school..

She always told us that if someone hurts you verbally or physically, never lower yourself to their level. I still live by that rule. And then she told me one day, “Girl, you are something else.” lol

HarpHill (2)

November 6, 2000

And most of all you found the key to succssful teaching in those who were willing to learn.

I think you were a good teacher! And even for such a short time with them, I’m sure they will be remember your lessons and you! :o)

Edelweis

April 28, 2002

I read this before, but I loved to re-read it because I find so much happiness in this entry. Being a teacher and see how pupils grow and can be motivated to give the best of theirselves gives us so much satisfaction. It’s amazing if we find such young pupils are able to do much more than most of us ever expect. These pupils were so very fortunate to have you as their teacher, dear friend!

Edelweis

April 28, 2002

I am sure, you were a very good teacher! It left wonderful memories in your heart of a very happy time, but I feel sure that the pupils have beautiful memories of what you taught them, they will remember you!! Take care my friend and have a nice evening,

My high school teachers remain to be the people in life that have had the greatest impact on me.