Okay, so as my life has been in complete chaos over the past week and a half, I really just needed to make the time to sit down and finish telling all of you about the rest of the institute.
On Monday we hopped in the van and headed out to the Museum of Tolerance. As we were approaching and chatting in our van, I have to say, that I was nervous. Of course I wasn't nervous about going to a museum or the horrific things we may be viewing, but that word "tolerance". I have despised it because it reminds me of how I feel about asparagus. I mean, I eat it if I have to, but I do not appreciate anything about it. However, I don't think we can describe people in this way. As I have stated over and over, you don't have to agree with people to appreciate their differences. But, after going to the museum, I have a new definition of tolerance. The guided tour starts out that way. Our guide began by telling us that the point of tolerance is to not just "put up" with people, but to recognize that we are all different and those differences should be accepted and appreciated.
The museum was moving beyond belief. I have been to the National Museum in DC, but this was in a whole different league. The Holocaust exhibit was amazing and definitely moving, but I was also impressed by the exhibits relating to some of our more recent tragedies. The whole point of the museum is to always recognize our past so that we don't have to repeat it. A phrase that came out after WWII was "Never Again", and yet, look at North Korea, Cambodia, The Balkans, Rwanda, Darfur etc...sad.
We also had the chance to meet Rene Firestone, the Holocaust survivor from the movie/one they invited to speak/Spielberg fame. She is beautiful and, believe it or not, I had never heard a first hand account of the Holocaust!
Much of that day was definitely in tears.
We ended our day at a beautiful museum for dinner with a panel: a couple of Dream Team Moms, the editor of the paper (way cool dude), the former president of the school board when Erin was working there (something like 95,000 students in the district!) and then two school counselors.
That was way cool too!
Sorry this post is so lame. I really need to be a little more thoughtful the next time I post, but I am just burnt out right now. I have just finished about three hours of homework after a full day of professional development, just to get back up and do it again tomorrow! Whoever said "summers off", doesn't know my schedule!
I am almost done captioning the pics. As soon as I am, I will give you all the link too!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Going Away Party
Hi everyone. Matt Radick and his family have graciously offered to have a going away party for me so we can all hang out again and get some closure. I had given him a couple of dates that I now have to go back on because I have been asked to attend another teacher training that starts on Monday. I am hoping to hammer down a date in early July. I know many of you are going to be headed out on vacation, though. If, once we settle on a day, you are not able to come, please let me know. I would be more than happy to hop on out to Howell for lunch sometime later in the summer.
I am overwhelmed with everything that I need to get done right now, but I will try to write more about the training soon. I hope it comes across that it was incredible; if I had a better word, I would use it.
I am overwhelmed with everything that I need to get done right now, but I will try to write more about the training soon. I hope it comes across that it was incredible; if I had a better word, I would use it.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Institute Day 4 Part I
About eight years ago, my mom called me up at college and said, "I just read the most amazing book! You are going to love it!" I never knew that would send me on the journey that lead to right now.
We are a reading family, my mom, sister and I. I will never forget learning the word regurgitation one night when my mom piled us all on her water bed and read from Julie of the Wolves. That's the way we were. We didn't have a lot when we were little, but gosh darn it, we were going to have an imagination inspired by words! So, when we read a good book, we always share. We don't always actually read the books. Mom really loves the "deep" type books, Liz loves both nonfiction and crazy vampire novels, and I am more of a Young Adult or type lover. But, if mom calls up and the sole purpose for calling was about a book, then that was a book that HAD to be read.
The next time I went home, she handed me a copy of The Freedom Writers Diary. She had received it from a woman in her book club. I opened the cover and read the writing. It says "To Julia because you care- Sue ---" I started reading it that night and couldn't put it down. I stole that copy of the book and still have it now.
When I returned to school the following Monday and headed to my Teaching English class, I remember discussing the book with a lot of my friends, specifically my friend Linds. We were starting to get bogged down by all the crazy crap you have to go through to be a teacher. We were sick of writing lesson plans with "schema activators"! We wanted to get into a classroom and inspire. We didn't want to turn in papers all on the same book, we wanted to find new and interesting literature for our classes that we wouldn't even have for another two years! We wanted to be like Erin. We wanted to inspire kids. From that moment, I knew, this is a story that needs to be shared, not just with other teachers, but teenagers need to hear this and know this story!
When the movie came out in January, I have to say, I was disappointed. Just like many other books that I read that become movies, the characters didn't look like who is playing them on the screen in my mind. I HATED Erin's husband, but I think more because I semi-understood where he was coming from. I worry all the time whether I am balancing my home life with my kids at school. Since Jason isn't a teacher and didn't grow up in an education family, he sometimes has a hard time understanding how personal I take things. He doesn't always understand when I want to do extra stuff at school, just to be around my kids more. But, luckily, we've been on this ride for five years now, and so far, he's almost always supportive, even when he can't relate.
Now, I am not saying I didn't like the movie. I did. I thought for an MTV/Hollywood story, it was perfect. I also thought that it was a great way to rejuvenate people to want to go out and read the book, which was a good thing.
All of that brings me to my point. Last night, we watched the movie at Paramount Studios. It was closed for Father's Day, but we got to go because Erin really is a hustler!
I slowly found my seat in the small, chilly theatre. My bag of goodies from Faye was neatly on my lap. As I inspected the contents (popcorn, suckers, raisinettes, and a juice box), Erin spoke. She knew we had all seen the movie, but she wanted us to re-watch it, thinking about all of the Freedom Writers we had met so far and all that we knew about the making of the screenplay with the help of the Freedom Writers. She even told us where the cameos by actual Freedom Writers were. Before the lights were dimmed, I turned around and saw a group of Freedom Writers anxious to see the movie once again. I knew it had to be like the millionth time they had seen it. As I turned back around, the music started playing and the movie began. Once again, I laughed, I cried, and I shrieked. Unlike the first time I saw it when I was with my friend Lori, this time, we all danced and clapped when the music was played. This time, when I cried, I thought about the actual Freedom Writers. As I watched Eva's story unfold on the page, I thought about Maria and who she is today. When I watched the courtroom scene and they showed Paco, I thought about Jason, a new Freedom Writer Teacher from Philly, and how well he was able to get into his character while participating in our role playing game during the course of our activities earlier in the day. When Scott was standing out as being the only white kid, I thought about Michael and dancing with him during our salsa lesson at the Fiesta the previous night and how confident, yet silly he was.
Both the book and the movie mean so much more to me today than they did yesterday. Each day I am here, the book and these stories mean so much more to me. I have so many ideas now as to how I want to use the book and how it could be used at MTA and in Howell. How it can be used to Change the World as Ms. D always says.
We are a reading family, my mom, sister and I. I will never forget learning the word regurgitation one night when my mom piled us all on her water bed and read from Julie of the Wolves. That's the way we were. We didn't have a lot when we were little, but gosh darn it, we were going to have an imagination inspired by words! So, when we read a good book, we always share. We don't always actually read the books. Mom really loves the "deep" type books, Liz loves both nonfiction and crazy vampire novels, and I am more of a Young Adult or type lover. But, if mom calls up and the sole purpose for calling was about a book, then that was a book that HAD to be read.
The next time I went home, she handed me a copy of The Freedom Writers Diary. She had received it from a woman in her book club. I opened the cover and read the writing. It says "To Julia because you care- Sue ---" I started reading it that night and couldn't put it down. I stole that copy of the book and still have it now.
When I returned to school the following Monday and headed to my Teaching English class, I remember discussing the book with a lot of my friends, specifically my friend Linds. We were starting to get bogged down by all the crazy crap you have to go through to be a teacher. We were sick of writing lesson plans with "schema activators"! We wanted to get into a classroom and inspire. We didn't want to turn in papers all on the same book, we wanted to find new and interesting literature for our classes that we wouldn't even have for another two years! We wanted to be like Erin. We wanted to inspire kids. From that moment, I knew, this is a story that needs to be shared, not just with other teachers, but teenagers need to hear this and know this story!
When the movie came out in January, I have to say, I was disappointed. Just like many other books that I read that become movies, the characters didn't look like who is playing them on the screen in my mind. I HATED Erin's husband, but I think more because I semi-understood where he was coming from. I worry all the time whether I am balancing my home life with my kids at school. Since Jason isn't a teacher and didn't grow up in an education family, he sometimes has a hard time understanding how personal I take things. He doesn't always understand when I want to do extra stuff at school, just to be around my kids more. But, luckily, we've been on this ride for five years now, and so far, he's almost always supportive, even when he can't relate.
Now, I am not saying I didn't like the movie. I did. I thought for an MTV/Hollywood story, it was perfect. I also thought that it was a great way to rejuvenate people to want to go out and read the book, which was a good thing.
All of that brings me to my point. Last night, we watched the movie at Paramount Studios. It was closed for Father's Day, but we got to go because Erin really is a hustler!
I slowly found my seat in the small, chilly theatre. My bag of goodies from Faye was neatly on my lap. As I inspected the contents (popcorn, suckers, raisinettes, and a juice box), Erin spoke. She knew we had all seen the movie, but she wanted us to re-watch it, thinking about all of the Freedom Writers we had met so far and all that we knew about the making of the screenplay with the help of the Freedom Writers. She even told us where the cameos by actual Freedom Writers were. Before the lights were dimmed, I turned around and saw a group of Freedom Writers anxious to see the movie once again. I knew it had to be like the millionth time they had seen it. As I turned back around, the music started playing and the movie began. Once again, I laughed, I cried, and I shrieked. Unlike the first time I saw it when I was with my friend Lori, this time, we all danced and clapped when the music was played. This time, when I cried, I thought about the actual Freedom Writers. As I watched Eva's story unfold on the page, I thought about Maria and who she is today. When I watched the courtroom scene and they showed Paco, I thought about Jason, a new Freedom Writer Teacher from Philly, and how well he was able to get into his character while participating in our role playing game during the course of our activities earlier in the day. When Scott was standing out as being the only white kid, I thought about Michael and dancing with him during our salsa lesson at the Fiesta the previous night and how confident, yet silly he was.
Both the book and the movie mean so much more to me today than they did yesterday. Each day I am here, the book and these stories mean so much more to me. I have so many ideas now as to how I want to use the book and how it could be used at MTA and in Howell. How it can be used to Change the World as Ms. D always says.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Freedom Writers Institute Day 3 Part I
Yesterday was a dream. I think that's the only way I can describe it. I have met some amazing people, including many of the Freedom Writers. We spent the day at Cal State-Long Beach. We went through many of the lessons that Erin has used in her classes with other teachers and she used with the Freedom Writers and then went through how to use them with our students. So, I made a shield of me, played the peanut game and fruit loop bingo and the line game (VERY emotional every time you play something like that). I have been partnered with many of the Freedom Writers and others who work for the foundation and they are amazing. I am still trippin' over the fact that they are only a year younger than me. And yes, I pick up my old language habits when I am around other people who are my age with the same language:)
I spent some time with Maria yesterday too. She totally remembers all of you guys that she met and remembers her day with us in Flint. It's unbelievable to me with all of the speaking engagements that she has.
Today we are going to work at USC again, but now we are going to work on lessons using the book, which will definitely be exciting. But, if I am really honest, I am looking forward to our evening activity. We are actually going to Paramount to view the movie! How crazy is that????
Well, I am looking forward to more of your posts. I can't share the photos yet, but I am the crazy picture lady as you all know, so there are over 100 in one day so far. There will be plenty when I can finally put them up online!
Love,
Capy
I spent some time with Maria yesterday too. She totally remembers all of you guys that she met and remembers her day with us in Flint. It's unbelievable to me with all of the speaking engagements that she has.
Today we are going to work at USC again, but now we are going to work on lessons using the book, which will definitely be exciting. But, if I am really honest, I am looking forward to our evening activity. We are actually going to Paramount to view the movie! How crazy is that????
Well, I am looking forward to more of your posts. I can't share the photos yet, but I am the crazy picture lady as you all know, so there are over 100 in one day so far. There will be plenty when I can finally put them up online!
Love,
Capy
Institute Day 2-Part I- Can't sleep
Okay, so I am still on Michigan time. I can't sleep. I am just too excited for today! I am meeting all my new friends for breakfast in a couple of hours. Then we are all headed out the California State University at Long Beach. We're going to start today working on learning many of Ms. G's strategies for teaching the Freedom Writers. We're going to learn by doing, so I have a feeling today is going to be an emotional day. We have a full day of that, but we end up at Ms. G's house for a fiesta! We're going to be learning how to salsa dance from a professional dancer who will be doing a movie with Joey Lawrence starting next week! CRAZY!
I am just so geeked about all of this that I am going to use this as my kind of journal for this workshop stuff! I felt really bad yesterday because I feel like I don't really deserve this. This is, seriously, an honor. Thousands of teachers APPLIED to be here and were chosen by these applications. I was invited. Some of these teachers work with migrant kids who have never stayed in one place for more than a few months. Some work with juvenile delinquents, the hardest of the hard kids (think Maria before the transformation). I taught in Howell. No offense of course, I love all of you, but how do I deserve this. One of you guys (I will leave your name out) said to me, after interviewing with Gabrielle and Danny from Anker, "I just don't see how we're special". That's how I feel here. Plus, last night while we were doing our overview and just chatting, Ms. G kept talking about me and you guys and what the book went through in Howell. I just felt like I was getting all this praise and I don't deserve it.
So, in the middle of the night, here's my idea: I want to bring in a Freedom Writer or two, and maybe Ms. G to my new school for a talk and a writing workshop. BUT, I want my Howell kids to be involved. I want a group of you guys to come and stay with a "host" family and then be a part of the workshop too. What do you think? It will be a lot of money that I will have to find to pull this off, but maybe Ms. D and the Exchange group can go to Howell people and I will go to Muskegon people? And, maybe we could add our Hamady friends too???? Big ideas here! Now, I just need to learn how to find the funding!
Okay, getting ready now. Still to early, but I just need to get moving!
I am just so geeked about all of this that I am going to use this as my kind of journal for this workshop stuff! I felt really bad yesterday because I feel like I don't really deserve this. This is, seriously, an honor. Thousands of teachers APPLIED to be here and were chosen by these applications. I was invited. Some of these teachers work with migrant kids who have never stayed in one place for more than a few months. Some work with juvenile delinquents, the hardest of the hard kids (think Maria before the transformation). I taught in Howell. No offense of course, I love all of you, but how do I deserve this. One of you guys (I will leave your name out) said to me, after interviewing with Gabrielle and Danny from Anker, "I just don't see how we're special". That's how I feel here. Plus, last night while we were doing our overview and just chatting, Ms. G kept talking about me and you guys and what the book went through in Howell. I just felt like I was getting all this praise and I don't deserve it.
So, in the middle of the night, here's my idea: I want to bring in a Freedom Writer or two, and maybe Ms. G to my new school for a talk and a writing workshop. BUT, I want my Howell kids to be involved. I want a group of you guys to come and stay with a "host" family and then be a part of the workshop too. What do you think? It will be a lot of money that I will have to find to pull this off, but maybe Ms. D and the Exchange group can go to Howell people and I will go to Muskegon people? And, maybe we could add our Hamady friends too???? Big ideas here! Now, I just need to learn how to find the funding!
Okay, getting ready now. Still to early, but I just need to get moving!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Institute Day 1-Part II
Okay, so today has been a really long day. It is only like 9:30 here, but that makes me on 11:30 time at home and I am exhausted! I am having a great time. We had dinner and hung out at Ms. G's place for a while tonight and went over everything that we're going to be doing, well, at least some of it. They want a bunch to still be a surprise. Ms. G wanted me to tell you all hi and she is so excited for me to be here. She's bummed too that I won't be staying in Howell, but she knows, just as I am sure you all do too, that I will not forget where I got my start and where all of this started. I will still share all with you and I will expect some help while I transition. My new students are going to need your wisdom! K, I have to get to bed so I can meet my new teacher friends in the morning for breakfast! They are from all over the country. There are teachers from: Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, The Virgin Islands, Hawaii, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Alabama, Georgia and more I am forgetting! How cool is this!?!
The Freedom Writers Institute -Day 1
Hi everyone. Well, I am here. I am exhausted. I left Detroit this morning at 7am, but I was, of course, at the airport at 5:30am and was up at 4:30 am for Ms. D to get me there. I flew Southwest and there were a lot of stops. I haven't really done anything yet. The "meet and greet" begins at 4:30 local time and It's only about 3 right now. I need a nice refreshing shower and I will be ready to meet everyone. I have met Tanya, an original freedom writer...she picked me and another teacher up at the airport. I guess there will be about 26 of us total, including Ms. G.
I will add more later tonight if I can.
Love you all!
Capy
I will add more later tonight if I can.
Love you all!
Capy
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Goodbye
Well, I have been waiting to do this because I think this is the hardest goodbye I will have to say. I have been offered a new job in Muskegon, Michigan. That is where Jason's family lives and my mom is only about 10 minutes south of that. We are really excited about this move, but I am really sad about leaving all of you.
I think I have said pretty much everything in our introduction letter, but let me just express to you how much I really do love each and every one of you. I could not have made it through this crazy year without all of you and I really hope you keep in touch. I will keep up with the blog as long as you guys keep writing on it. That means, even through the next year(s). And, maybe we can use this as another connection???? It is a very different school, so that might be fun!
So, I know this isn't as eloquent as it could have been, but I am sad, in tears and just needed to get through it.
Love,
Capy
I think I have said pretty much everything in our introduction letter, but let me just express to you how much I really do love each and every one of you. I could not have made it through this crazy year without all of you and I really hope you keep in touch. I will keep up with the blog as long as you guys keep writing on it. That means, even through the next year(s). And, maybe we can use this as another connection???? It is a very different school, so that might be fun!
So, I know this isn't as eloquent as it could have been, but I am sad, in tears and just needed to get through it.
Love,
Capy
Sunday, June 10, 2007
First Real Day of Va-Ca
Hi guys,
Well, I decided that it is already way past my bedtime on Sunday night (10:30!). So, what are you going to do with your first couple of days of vacation? I am sure it is too much to hope for that you are reading a new good book, but if you are, please share it. I have a lot on my summer reading list, but it would be fun to read some of what you are reading too! Be good and relax your first day off!
Capy
Well, I decided that it is already way past my bedtime on Sunday night (10:30!). So, what are you going to do with your first couple of days of vacation? I am sure it is too much to hope for that you are reading a new good book, but if you are, please share it. I have a lot on my summer reading list, but it would be fun to read some of what you are reading too! Be good and relax your first day off!
Capy
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Starting Out
Since this is the first post, here is the introduction to our book:
Dear Sophomores,
When you asked me to write the introduction to the Accelerated Sophomore English’s book of stories, I was honored, but a little scared too. Here I’ve been, preaching to you about writing your stories, writing every day, and writing to change the world…but what if I can’t live up to your expectations of me? So, in the spirit of how I told you to get started, I just started writing. And, of course, I started out with many “Crummy* First Drafts,” as Anne Lamott wrote about in Bird by Bird. But, at least it was a start.
When I began writing, I tried giving a timeline of the crazy events that unfolded this past school year with The Freedom Writers Diary being yanked from our classroom, book banning headlines in the local paper, some angry parents, L.O.V.E., receiving phone calls from Erin Gruwell, being invited to California to attend The Freedom Writers Teacher Training, to the book being reinstated and re-taught. But, after reading more from Mary Pipher’s Writing to Change the World, I decided that I just need to say what I need to say, just like I told you.
This year has been tough. I have never felt as vulnerable as I have this past year. You never know what being under a microscope really feels like until your picture is in the local rag and anonymous bloggers are ripping on you as a teacher, a professional, and a young woman. Why do adults who do not know you guys believe they know what’s best for you? And, how does attacking me help their cause? In no way am I disrespecting your parents and their decisions, however I do question the motives of those in the community who don’t know you, me, or haven’t read any of our chosen curriculum. Providing you with the opportunity to write and share your own stories is what I feel is best for you. Ultimately, that’s what reading others’ stories was about. Asking you to read about others and write about yourselves in the most personal way will make you better readers and writers in the end.
I am glad I was given the opportunity to teach these classes, and especially, all of you. Many of us have formed a bond that not many teachers ever get the chance to have. I have had the amazing experience to have some of you stand up and speak eloquently, not just on my behalf, but on the behalf of The Freedom Writers and their stories to be heard. Some have argued and continue to spew that these stories are inappropriate for you; the language and the images are too graphic. These people believe that you can equate movies and television with literature. These same people believe that books should be given a rating much like the media is rated, and they would give much of what is in our high school curriculum a “R” and therefore, unacceptable for students under 17. I disagree. I don’t believe you can equate writing and literature with movies and TV. How could you? Language is so very different. Reading the written word is more powerful and yes, still imaginable, but what we have read is anything but too graphic. Equating The Freedom Writers Diary or The Bluest Eye or Black Boy with Penthouse magazine is just absurd. To say that the majority of our students are not equipped to handle this reading material is ridiculous. This is not to say I have not completely supported those of you who have chosen not to read some of our texts. I ardently respect all of you and do not think any different of you for making this decision. It was yours to make.
So, this is where I talk about how proud I am of all of you. Some of you were outspoken, some were shy, and some just cared about whether or not you were going to get an A. I am not going to say that all of you were motivated by this controversy, in either direction; plenty of you are still just high schoolers who aren’t ready to stand up for beliefs and may not even know what those beliefs are yet. I wasn’t able to change that in you and I have resigned myself to the fact that I cannot change everyone in one year. And, before the bandwagon jumpers read too far into that last line, I don’t mean that I want to change everyone to believe the same things as me, but I do mean change everyone in to caring about something. Some of my best relationships with students and teachers at Howell High School were formed from having diverse opinions. What connects us, though, is having strong beliefs and convictions. I cannot connect to those who do not care, who have no beliefs, or, if they do, don’t care enough to stand up for them, but I sure won’t stop trying.
Ultimately, I am so very proud of all of you. I can’t wait to see what you all end up doing with the rest of your lives and how reading and writing will be a part of that future. Please know that you have all changed me in a positive way and I will never forget this past year. You are all engraved in my heart.
Love,
Ms. Capy
Dear Sophomores,
When you asked me to write the introduction to the Accelerated Sophomore English’s book of stories, I was honored, but a little scared too. Here I’ve been, preaching to you about writing your stories, writing every day, and writing to change the world…but what if I can’t live up to your expectations of me? So, in the spirit of how I told you to get started, I just started writing. And, of course, I started out with many “Crummy* First Drafts,” as Anne Lamott wrote about in Bird by Bird. But, at least it was a start.
When I began writing, I tried giving a timeline of the crazy events that unfolded this past school year with The Freedom Writers Diary being yanked from our classroom, book banning headlines in the local paper, some angry parents, L.O.V.E., receiving phone calls from Erin Gruwell, being invited to California to attend The Freedom Writers Teacher Training, to the book being reinstated and re-taught. But, after reading more from Mary Pipher’s Writing to Change the World, I decided that I just need to say what I need to say, just like I told you.
This year has been tough. I have never felt as vulnerable as I have this past year. You never know what being under a microscope really feels like until your picture is in the local rag and anonymous bloggers are ripping on you as a teacher, a professional, and a young woman. Why do adults who do not know you guys believe they know what’s best for you? And, how does attacking me help their cause? In no way am I disrespecting your parents and their decisions, however I do question the motives of those in the community who don’t know you, me, or haven’t read any of our chosen curriculum. Providing you with the opportunity to write and share your own stories is what I feel is best for you. Ultimately, that’s what reading others’ stories was about. Asking you to read about others and write about yourselves in the most personal way will make you better readers and writers in the end.
I am glad I was given the opportunity to teach these classes, and especially, all of you. Many of us have formed a bond that not many teachers ever get the chance to have. I have had the amazing experience to have some of you stand up and speak eloquently, not just on my behalf, but on the behalf of The Freedom Writers and their stories to be heard. Some have argued and continue to spew that these stories are inappropriate for you; the language and the images are too graphic. These people believe that you can equate movies and television with literature. These same people believe that books should be given a rating much like the media is rated, and they would give much of what is in our high school curriculum a “R” and therefore, unacceptable for students under 17. I disagree. I don’t believe you can equate writing and literature with movies and TV. How could you? Language is so very different. Reading the written word is more powerful and yes, still imaginable, but what we have read is anything but too graphic. Equating The Freedom Writers Diary or The Bluest Eye or Black Boy with Penthouse magazine is just absurd. To say that the majority of our students are not equipped to handle this reading material is ridiculous. This is not to say I have not completely supported those of you who have chosen not to read some of our texts. I ardently respect all of you and do not think any different of you for making this decision. It was yours to make.
So, this is where I talk about how proud I am of all of you. Some of you were outspoken, some were shy, and some just cared about whether or not you were going to get an A. I am not going to say that all of you were motivated by this controversy, in either direction; plenty of you are still just high schoolers who aren’t ready to stand up for beliefs and may not even know what those beliefs are yet. I wasn’t able to change that in you and I have resigned myself to the fact that I cannot change everyone in one year. And, before the bandwagon jumpers read too far into that last line, I don’t mean that I want to change everyone to believe the same things as me, but I do mean change everyone in to caring about something. Some of my best relationships with students and teachers at Howell High School were formed from having diverse opinions. What connects us, though, is having strong beliefs and convictions. I cannot connect to those who do not care, who have no beliefs, or, if they do, don’t care enough to stand up for them, but I sure won’t stop trying.
Ultimately, I am so very proud of all of you. I can’t wait to see what you all end up doing with the rest of your lives and how reading and writing will be a part of that future. Please know that you have all changed me in a positive way and I will never forget this past year. You are all engraved in my heart.
Love,
Ms. Capy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)