What do you remember about your high school English teachers? I remember all of mine. All of them have stood out to me for different reasons, and it’s a sentiment I’ve seen reflected in my peers then and now. I’ve seen a lot of people sincerely enjoy their English classes. Except for the essays, that is. (I only liked the essays because I’m insane; that’s why I’m an English major.)
I’ve seen a few memes and posts around the internet: “In high school it’s you and your English teacher against the world.” “I miss the days I felt superior in English class by actually enjoying it.” “Me and my whacky English teacher talking about the downfall of society.”
More so than the class itself, I’ve seen a lot of people love their English teachers. I did, too. Reflecting on my high school days, pretty much all my favorite teachers were English teachers. Don’t get me wrong, I liked a lot of other classes and teachers, too. But the English teachers…they inspired something in me more than any of the others did. Thinking back on my teachers made me realize that despite their difference, they shared one core trait that I will never forget.
Connect with Fun, Passion, and Support
Starting out my junior high days, I thought my first English teacher was hilarious. Sure, we had boring homework sometimes, but he even made that fun, somehow. He would talk to every student and was just an all-around nice person. Even when I didn’t have classes with him, he still said hello to me in the hallways.
When we read books in that class, he would choose ones that engaged even the rowdiest kids and made everyone care about the characters. Instead of asking the simple question of, “what do you think the author was trying to say here?” he would explore our feelings about the stories and discuss why the books provoked certain reactions out of us. I remember the way he would read stories to us with passion in his voice. Afterwards, he would intently listen to us as if we all had something meaningful to say.
Vibrant Energy and Love of Stories
In high school, I was taught by a new teacher with a different teaching style. She filled the class with vibrant and quirky energy. She made an effort to be friendly to everyone, and I will never forget that. Even though I didn’t talk much, she still reached out to me and made me feel included.
But more than just being a lovely person, she taught the subject well. She made poetry and stories compelling, even to those who thought they wanted nothing to do with them. She explored literature from every perspective: texts, plays, movies, radio talks, and anything that had to do with communication. I had her several times throughout my high school years, and each time I saw her name on my new schedule, I got excited.
Love of Language and Words
My high school’s drama teacher also taught English. She was eccentric and a little scary to some, but I thought she was incredible. I will never forget her unique teaching style. She compelled the class to focus and look at the structures of speeches and plays, examining what made them so powerful.
Just from the English perspective, it was clear that she had a love of words. She loved the ways that words were strung together to create works of art and how they conveyed such emotion. That was what inspired me more than anything else she taught us: she loved the English language.
Motivate Students to Think About the World
In my senior year, I had an advanced English teacher. He was mild-mannered and thoughtful, different from my past English teachers, but he still inspired me in ways that still stay with me today.
Even though our assignments got difficult, he helped us grow and learn. He helped us think about English analytically and meticulously. He carefully planned each lesson and always taught me something new. He gave assignments that provided the class opportunities to apply what we had learned in our real lives. Even in our serious discussions, he encouraged us to share our real thoughts and opinions. He motivated us to listen and think about the world around us. I still remember several of his lessons and assignments, and I still ponder the questions and topics he discussed.
More Than Just Reading Old Books
Comparing all of my favorite English teachers, I found the essential commonality they all share: each of them loves their subject.
As a student, I could visibly see the way their faces lit up when they spoke about complex topics and the art of literature. It was something they cared about on a very human level. Even though they didn’t explicitly say it, their love for English was obvious to see.
That is what I learned more than anything else I was taught in those classes—English is a beautiful thing.
English is a complex subject that involves more than reading old books and writing long essays. It is about learning about all forms of literature, about the reality of human existence, and the way that people view the world. There is something truly inspiring about how English teachers understand about this subject that makes them want to spread their love onto the next generation.
For anyone who is considering a future career in teaching English, I highly implore you to remember your own English teachers. Did they spark this inspiration in you? Or did you wish they had? What will you do to spread your love of language onto the students you will teach?
I promise you that if you have a sincere love of English, your teachings will be remembered.