Kids can smell a phony—not to mention abject fear—from across a classroom, especially bright eighteen-year-olds who sit in the back row with that particular brand of teenage omniscience.
This is a jewel of a story. It's easy to see why you are one of those rare teachers who is remembered decades later. You identified and really saw your students - who they were, what they were going through and what they needed. I'm looking forward to the next story - the one where you see Emilia again, so many years later.
What a gorgeous story, Sarah! It perfectly captures the anxiety of being a young teacher of almost-peers and gaining your students' trust. But it's also such a wonderful story about being that teacher who stands out among all others in high school, the one who influenced a student to follow a certain road in life. My English teacher was one for me.
You also throw us tiny surprises: the miscarriage, the crush on a student yet being newly wed. It's just such a perfect piece and a highly enjoyable read!
Sarah, your writings transport me back to those idealistic years when we, fresh-faced and green ,tried to make a difference in our classrooms. Sometimes we succeeded and sometimes not so much. And yet I think we were blessed to pursue the noblest of professions. Your piece evoked a time of innocence for all of us ( big hair, padded shoulders!), for staff and students alike. I loved the smell of the classroom, the roar of the hallways, the silence of a moment of reflection when a novel in class hit too close to home. Tears, smiles and sometimes lengthy rebuttals meant we were getting through.
Thank you Sarah for your gift of recapturing that moment in time for me
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
I started the essay with a blank mind…even though these essays are usually by seasoned humans (!) I thought that maybe this was a young writer talking about a recent experience. Then, the expression “I was a newlywed” showed up….That was a give away……not to mention…”Miss Texas”!!!! The story was a truly delightful description of how encounters with people 50 years later are one of the wonderful privileges of our “considerable age”!
Your writing paints a picture of caring and connection with those young adults (as I used to say - back in the day) that you worked with. When it went well wasn't it a collective learning thing.
From one old Toronto teacher to another - "you've got chalk dust in your veins" Brava Sarah!
This was such a beautiful reflection. I can see how much you loved working with the students.
It made me remember my first day teaching adjunct at a community college 😂 My ex told me not to let them know it was my first day, and my mom had flowers delivered to the room!! 🤣
a very delightful and insightful story ot a dynamic teacher who knew how to teach and also connect with students. learning academic material becomes more rich when taught with passion.
With your humility and sensitivity I imagine you as a model teacher who touched and influenced many lives over your career. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your time caring about lost souls and bright minds.
Poignant, sweet , Lovely
This is a jewel of a story. It's easy to see why you are one of those rare teachers who is remembered decades later. You identified and really saw your students - who they were, what they were going through and what they needed. I'm looking forward to the next story - the one where you see Emilia again, so many years later.
What a gorgeous story, Sarah! It perfectly captures the anxiety of being a young teacher of almost-peers and gaining your students' trust. But it's also such a wonderful story about being that teacher who stands out among all others in high school, the one who influenced a student to follow a certain road in life. My English teacher was one for me.
You also throw us tiny surprises: the miscarriage, the crush on a student yet being newly wed. It's just such a perfect piece and a highly enjoyable read!
Omg! Tried several times to post and thought it wasnt going through! My spologies for the several postings!!! I am such a luddite!!😩
Sarah, your writings transport me back to those idealistic years when we, fresh-faced and green ,tried to make a difference in our classrooms. Sometimes we succeeded and sometimes not so much. And yet I think we were blessed to pursue the noblest of professions. Your piece evoked a time of innocence for all of us ( big hair, padded shoulders!), for staff and students alike. I loved the smell of the classroom, the roar of the hallways, the silence of a moment of reflection when a novel in class hit too close to home. Tears, smiles and sometimes lengthy rebuttals meant we were getting through.
Thank you Sarah for your gift of recapturing that moment in time for me
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
Sarah, you evoked such strong remembrances of classes past- i had a lump in my throat until the very last line. We had the best careers, didn’t we? We truly never worked a day in our lives so much was our vocation to stand so shakily before those restless teenagers all those years ago. You transported me back to the 80’s, big hair, youthful heart and all.
Such a beautiful piece, Sarah! You capture the essence of teaching and being a great teacher.
I started the essay with a blank mind…even though these essays are usually by seasoned humans (!) I thought that maybe this was a young writer talking about a recent experience. Then, the expression “I was a newlywed” showed up….That was a give away……not to mention…”Miss Texas”!!!! The story was a truly delightful description of how encounters with people 50 years later are one of the wonderful privileges of our “considerable age”!
Lucky kids!! I too was once a high-school teacher not much older than my students. Thanks for the heartfelt reflection.
Your writing paints a picture of caring and connection with those young adults (as I used to say - back in the day) that you worked with. When it went well wasn't it a collective learning thing.
From one old Toronto teacher to another - "you've got chalk dust in your veins" Brava Sarah!
This was such a beautiful reflection. I can see how much you loved working with the students.
It made me remember my first day teaching adjunct at a community college 😂 My ex told me not to let them know it was my first day, and my mom had flowers delivered to the room!! 🤣
I agree with your mother, Sarah. You did -- still do -- love those kids! And they loved you back.
a very delightful and insightful story ot a dynamic teacher who knew how to teach and also connect with students. learning academic material becomes more rich when taught with passion.
Mary Anne
With your humility and sensitivity I imagine you as a model teacher who touched and influenced many lives over your career. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your time caring about lost souls and bright minds.