Positive Influence

When I first moved to Yuma, 5 years ago, originally I was teaching 2 beginning drama classes and 3 Sophomore English classes.  Within a matter of weeks I was asked to take an additional period, a Junior English class.  Shortly thereafter they sorted things out and took 1 of my sophomore classes, so my first year I had 3 classes to prepare for, or 3 preps.

That was the first year I taught Junior English, or American Literature, and I found I really enjoyed it.  We read Huck Finn, studied Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Poe, and Steinbeck’s, Of Mice and Men.  But, of course, the true highlight of that year was being able to delve into one of my all time favorite plays, The Crucible.

This year I’m just Junior English, just one prep, and I love it.  I’m not sure why, but American literature really speaks to me.  Sure I miss not having Shakespeare in the line up this year, but I hold Arthur Miller up just as high as William.  This past week we got through Act I and I chose to delve into the movie.  I expected that if the kids could see the characters and here the dialogue as it was meant to be delivered, it would pull them into the play in a way that our less than enthusiastic reading in class has not yet done.  So Friday we watched Act I, or the first 35 minutes of the movie.  Have you seen this film?  It’s exceptional.  Daniel Day-Lewis is phenomenal as John, and Winona Ryder as Abigail, though not as gorgeous as I believe Arthur intended, is terrific.  I’m optimistic that this play will be one of the highlights of this school year for my students.

  

Sitting in my classroom the other day, I realized that no one in my family has been in my current class.  This is the same English class I taught in during my 1^st and 2^nd year, and last year as well.  So let me give you a quick tour.

As you walk in my class and look left, this is the view you'll see.  That's my desk a the top left.  Picture #2 is from the opposite corner, the view you'd get if you walked in from the middle office.

Were I sitting at my desk and looking forward, here's my view.  Please note the recycle box in the back.  Everyone should be recycling!

And the last shot here on the right is my view as I turn to my left to my class, the view I most often have just before class gets started.

Believe it or not, my principal once criticized my room because there wasn’t enough “Bruce” in it.  So, as you can see,  I added a bit more of myself.  What do you think?  Is it enough?

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that the impact of my father is evident in the room as well. When of the many influences I'm proud of.  :)