Having recently traded in her cowgirl boots for a position on our English staff, Ms. Speller returns to her roots in Long Island, bringing her valuable experience from teaching in Texas along with her. Read this Q&A as we delve into her experiences as a teacher in states that are miles apart.
Q: What are some of the most significant differences between teaching in Texas and teaching in Long Island, New York
My old school was much, much bigger and had a larger quantity of students. The periods were block periods, with each one lasting an hour and forty minutes.
Q: Have you noticed any significant differences in the English curriculum between Texas and Long Island? For example, are there differences in the books or texts that are emphasized?
In my old school, they had a system of mastery where I couldn’t penalize students for behaviors. Students could turn in stuff late and the system would train them to be irresponsible. I understand the meaning behind the rules, and that lateness does not showcase their knowledge base, but it’s ineffective.
Q: How do students’ writing skills or styles differ between your experience teaching English in Texas and Long Island?
I found that the writing styles are similar as the curriculum was more or less the same. I enjoyed the writing styles of all students.
Q: If you could go back in time, and choose another profession what would it be?
I would probably be a forensic psychologist because I’m super into True Crime and psychology. I would love to learn more about how people think and why they do the things that they do. I additionally used to be a psych major, hence why I think that it would be interesting to get into their mind. It’s hard for me to understand why people commit the crimes that they do.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee order when you need a pick-me-up on a busy school day?
I usually get a vanilla sweet cream cold brew! It’s really sweet but I really like it. At first, I didn’t enjoy drinking coffee, but once I started working I really needed the coffee to get through the day.
Q: Is there a book you think everyone should read at least once in their life? Why that one?
More than a book I think every person should read, I think that every woman should read “The Gift of Fear”. Basically, it teaches you about how we as women are conditioned to push aside our instincts when really our instincts are what guide us. The book retrains you to trust yourself. The author says in a section, there is only one species that would willingly get in a soundproof, enclosed space with a potential threat just because we are afraid of hurting their feelings. The book almost talks about humans from a biology standpoint and I find it really interesting.
Q: What’s the strangest or most unexpected thing a student has ever written in an essay?
Once, a kid went on a tangent on how much he hated every other kid in the class and that he didn’t care about school. The assignment was supposed to be a literary analysis, and he really believed that I would not read or pay attention to what he was writing.
Q: What’s one lesson or message you hope all of your students carry with them after they leave your class?
A message I would say is “Believe in yourself.” I want every student to become the best version of themselves.
Q: What do you value in a piece of literature? (Ex. development of characters, strong plot line, good world-building, deep metaphors, etc.)
I very strongly value developed characters that have complex emotions that I can relate to. I like when the characters challenge your preconceived notions and are morally gray.
Q: Has there ever been a time in your life where you were especially proud of being a teacher? If so, when and why did it occur?
There was a student in one of my classes that would never participate, but there was one choice assignment with a presentation that really changed my viewpoint of him. He showcased a really powerful presentation and brought the class to tears. They even gave him a standing ovation. From that day onward, he would be really proactive because he realized how smart he really was.
Q: Did you have a favorite teacher growing up that inspired you to become an English teacher? If yes, what were they like?
I had an incredible social studies teacher in middle and high school that always supported and saw the best in me even when I didn’t. He gave me so much support when I needed it and showed me how powerful the support of a teacher can be. He would be proactive in knowing everybody’s personal lives and understand when you were having a bad day.
Q: How would you compare the community between college and high school?
There is a sense of community in high school, but when it comes to college, I do not talk to any other teachers and there is no collaboration whatsoever. In terms of students, I have a handful that I get close to but not at the level of high school. In high school, you spend time talking and get to know your students on a deeper level.
Q: What has your teaching journey looked like?
I started right away out of graduate school teaching regular English 10, honors English 10, and AP Lit, and then I moved here and started teaching college.