Here's number two. Silver. Red Ribbon.
Here's number one. Gold. Blue Ribbon.
Wait, how can you be number three with photos like these!? (my sincerest apologies to those of you who couldn't make it. It seems unfair, I know. We'll take another photo together, somewhere, soon.)
The truth is - you guys made the end of my day magical. Every. Single. Day. Fourth block is often dreaded by students and teachers alike. We were lucky: we had each other air conditioning. Sometimes, too much. Air conditioning and each other.
You're all already better writers than I was at your age. I mean, have you actually read that poem I wrote at age 12?! Sure, yeah, I did it in calligraphy (when I was a Senior in high school), which is pretty cool. But the poem... it's nothing special.
But you know what? Every time I read it, even now, it takes me back to that field trip, that hill, that valley, where I was sitting with my journal and my pen. That's the power of writing. It's a memory keeper.
Keep your journals. You never know when you might want to go back and have a look. (or when you might need a poem to write for a calligraphy class when you're a Senior in high school). There are memories in there....
What impresses me most about you is that your writing has VOICE. Voice is a thing that says, "Hey, this writing sounds like me." It means you can craft a good story, make us cry, make us think, make us scared, make us wonder.
Take that to the bank. Make a living at it if you want to. Write novels. Edit other people's novels (yes, you can get paid for that). Write grants for organizations that do good in the world. Be the one your employer wants to write up that report for the CEO. Publish a chapbook. Write teleplays and screenplays and videogameplays. Is there even a word for that yet? No? Invent one.
And, of course, you don't have to "make a living at it". You can also just play writing games for fun. Or enjoy writing in your spare time as a hobby. Some of you may end up writing only when you have to. That's perfectly ok, too.
No matter what, it's still important to remember this: The pen is mightier than the sword. I know it's hard to believe some times. We sure did live through some pretty interesting times politically this year. I know your futures are uncertain (hence: post-apocalytic lit.), and there are things you don't understand, can't understand, shouldn't understand, about the world we live in.
But the world has Malala Yousafzi in it. And you. And all manner of other people who are using their superpowers for good. The pen will always, in the end, be mightier than the sword.
And it's in your hands. Wield it.
To Mr. Noland and Ms. Knapp: Look out, you got a writing army coming your way.
14 comments:
This was a complete mystery of a post to me at first. I had no idea what you were talking about until I got through all the way. I wish I had been there. Sorry I couldn't make it guys. When can we do another one?
Wow. That is truly astonishing. You're entirely right though! Mr. Noland better watch out next year. He's got an army to tend to! That day was so much merriment! We should execute another one soon. I got so much writing done! Plus, I would love to run outside more in our strata. I feel like going outdoors is becoming too much for our modern society to handle *sigh* oh well. We still have those few jolly old souls that would prefer this song of nature, instead of the hum of the cyberspace. I know I would much rather be sitting on an island with books and journals instead of wifi and electronics.
I'm so happy we were able to be able to do things like this with you. I liked the beginning and end of your story/poem. This was amazing.
I loved reading this so much! I can't believe all the memories that we have made this year! I am going to miss Manitou so much. Thanks, by the way, you really helped me become a better writer and I am beyond greatful that I had the opportunity this year to be your student. :)
TBH this kinda made me cry. I feel like out of classes this one is most like a family. This year has been so great! Thank you classmates and Mrs. Spengler. I can't wait for next year!
That was amazing! Thank you Mrs. Spengler, I've really enjoyed your class. You make language arts very fun and interesting, which I think takes a lot of skill. I think you've really taught me to enjoy writing.
Dear Ms. Spengler,
Thank you for everything this year. I know that McMessi already said this, but I really appreciate that you taught me how to enjoy writing. You taught me that you can find inspiration anywhere if you look closely. You made sentence diagramming fun, while other teachers try to teach people gerunds, participles, and infinitives without it. Before your class I didn't even know what sentence diagramming was. I love the way you teach and you were one of my favorite teachers this whole year!
Thank you!
I love these. You put so much effort to write about this year for each class and each one is unique and different.
Thank you for writing this. It made me even more emotional about the end of this school year. You have been such an amazing teacher and I will cherish your class forever. I really like the way that you wrote this because it was so personal. Thank you!
Thank you so much Ms. Spengler! You really helped me love writing (even more). Without you, I probably never would have learned the things I did, school-related and not. This really means so much, I can't exactly write it down, but thank you!
Love your story. Love part 2 . Love all of your story's.
I have loved being in your class, Ms. Spengler. It make so sad that the year is almost over. I'm so glad I got to do this kind of stuff in your class! It has been an awesome year!
Awww these are such cute photos! I have had so much fun in your class Ms. Spengler! You have been one of the best teachers I have ever had. And I'm not just saying that. You are so funny and silly and awesome and just an overall amazing teacher! Thank you so much for being you and being a brilliant teacher❤️
I loved the grave yard trip
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