After Commencement, Life?

By Gwen Gray Schwartz, College Section, Alliance, OH:   Sometimes graduation is not the happy event it's supposed to be for students, and letting go can be both a relief and a scary proposition for everyone involved. We often talk of the successes and the growth of...

The Mantle of Story — Passing On Tradition

By Kevin Cordi, College Section, Columbus, OH:   "J" came to an afterschool storytelling meeting. We were there simply to tell stories for and with each other. He shared that he came to the meeting because his storyteller was no longer at home. His father had left...

Barrier Language

By Terri Pantuso, Secondary ELAR, Preservice Teachers, Cypress, TX:   About ten years ago, I taught an undergraduate Shakespeare class at a small university comprised predominantly of first-generation students. The course was difficult given the content, but one student in particular seemed to struggle more than others....

Teachers Impact Every Student

By Jenny Martin, College Section, Dayton, VA:   Karen came up to me on my last day of teaching with a large box. I had decided to shift gears when I had my first child, and my last day of class was actually my due date. I...

My Advice to New Teachers

By Terri Pantuso, Secondary ELAR, Preservice Teachers, Cypress, TX:   For new teachers, the best piece of advice I have is never to be afraid to admit that you don't know all the answers. It's okay to allow your students to see you struggle with some of...