THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

The Dedication and Love of Teaching Writing

Shelby E. Gochenaur
Teaching Writing and Language in High Schools
Florida State University

THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

Abstract
The teachers in my life have influenced me to become a teacher of love and dedication to writing
because of their dedication, love for writing, and love for the students. My teachers showed me
dedication to writing and the students. This dedication has shaped my goals and outlook on my
journey to becoming a teacher. My teachers had a love for writing which has influenced me to
have a love for the art of writing as well. My teachers not only had a love for writing but they
had love for their roles as teachers and had a strong love for their students. I want to have this
same love and aspiration for my future students as a teacher of writing.
Keywords: dedication, writing, students

THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

The Dedication and Love of Teaching Writing

All through high school, my only objective was to get out. I absolutely hated it. I came
from a Title I school; therefore everything was low-funded and low-quality. The teachers were
either fired every other year and the new ones would be no better than the last or the teachers that
have taught there for years and years never influenced any student because they taught absolutely
nothing, but still were never let go. But despite this strange array of old and new teachers I did
have a small handful of teachers that made going to school worthwhile. When I moved on to
college, I met another group of English teachers that enhanced my love for the English/Writing
Arts even more and gave me a new found hope and purpose for my goals in life. These small
groups of teachers were so influential in my life. They gave me a glimmer of hope in my
horrifying years of high school. I was blessed with their inspiration because I would not be
where I am today. These teachers throughout my high school years have influenced me because
of their dedication to the art of writing, their love for writing, but also their love and dedication
to their students.
My teachers dedication the art of writing has influenced me to be dedicated to my own
writing. Writing is unquestionably becoming a lost art in the high school setting. My 10th grade
teacher, Mrs. Hansen, made sure that the writing arts would not be lost. Every day in the
beginning of class she would give us a journal topic. She required full participation and always
tried to tie in our writing to our class subject for the day. Being a 10th grade teacher, Mrs. Hansen
had the not-so-wonderful job of drilling FCAT Writes into our simple, non-creative brains.
When the time for studying for FCAT Writes came around, she started us off with an FCAT
practice writing test. She gave us a basic rubric to follow for our writing practice. The grades
were on a scale from 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest score and 5 being the highest. When the time

THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

came to receive our first practice grade, I thought I did a decent job so I wasnt too worried. Mrs.
Hansen delivered my paper last and spoke very quietly to me, Please see me after class. She
put my paper face down on the table. I turned it over to only find a big red 1 staring me in the
face. The first thing I remember thinking, How am I going to get through school? I was
overwhelmed with depression and humiliation that I could not write well enough to make a
passing score on this standardized test. When I met Mrs. Hansen after class, she expressed
concerns for my writing and made a promised that it was all going to be ok and that we would
work together to improve my writing skills. Mrs. Hansen worked with me and was very available
to me whenever I needed help. For days we went going over how to form an introduction, thesis
statement, supporting paragraphs and a grand conclusion. Finally, the day for the final practice
writing came. I was so nervous. I didnt know if I was going to be able to retain all of the helpful
information and skills that Mrs. Hansen so tirelessly worked on. I put all of my heart and soul
into this practice test. When it was over, I was mentally exhausted and could only hope for the
best, but I still expected the worse. When the day arrived for the grades to be handed out, I was
in a nervous state. Mrs. Hansen stood at the front of the classroom and announced that she had
successfully graded the papers and was prepared to give them back. She then walked straight
over to my desk and proclaimed, If any student can go from a grade of 1 to a grade of 5, I know
that I have successfully helped this student with their writing skills throughout the rest of their
school year. She looked down at me and smiled, Wonderful job Shelby and congratulations.
When she handed me my paper, I saw a gleaming number 5 on the snow white paper. I
couldnt believe it. I was so overwhelmed I still get emotional when I think of that day. This day
is a great example of what I want to be for my students one day. I want to be Mrs. Hansen, who
worked effortlessly with her students when they needed her help with writing. I want to be able

THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

to see my students eyes light up with success and hope because I was dedicated to help them
with their writing skills to help them make it through life. I will always be grateful for Mrs.
Hansen and her love and dedication to writing.
When I graduated from high school, thanks to the help of Mrs. Hansen, I went into
college not having an idea with what I wanted to do with my life. I enrolled in the required
English 101 class. I went into this English class with no ambition and no desire to be in the
classroom. My teacher, Mrs. Rentz, was the epitome of an English teacher. She dressed like an
English teacher, talked like an English teacher, despite the southern accent, and she always had
books and a stack of papers with her, just waiting to be graded. But the most important thing that
Mrs. Rentz possessed was that she had a driving passion for the writing language. She loved
writing in its many forms; modern, classic, structured style or free write. Since the beginning of
this class, she told us we would be writing multiple papers and in class essays. She made it sound
like this was going to be the best thing in all of our college experiences. I, however, felt like this
was going to be the worst part of my college experience. Mrs. Rentz was very patient with me.
She understood that I did not have a drive or passion for English. She worked with me and spent
time with me outside of class explaining to me all of the possibilities that I could create out of
writing. By the end of this beginner English 101 class, I found myself having just as much
passion and a desire to be a teacher of the English Arts. Because Mrs. Rentz shared her passion
of writing with me, I have been inspired to take my new founded passion and spread the joy with
others.
Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Rentz not only had a dedication and love for writing, they had a
dedication and love for their students. Not only did these teachers work a full 8-12 hours a day,
they both also put in multiple hours after their official work hours. These ladies spent tireless

THE DEDICATION AND LOVE OF TEACHING WRITING

hours grading papers, making corrections where needed, and spending time with students after
class for however long it takes until the student can have a full grasp on the subject at hand. Mrs.
Hansen and Mrs. Rentz never gave up on their students. They were always patient with the
students couldnt find their niche in the writing world. They helped them discovered their
strengths and witnesses. These two ladies really got down the core of writing and helped us
students see the light at the end of the tunnel when it came to the writing arts. When Mrs. Rentz
and Mrs. Hansen were taking the students through the tunnel, they made it a fun and exciting
adventure that only we students could create on our own. They really opened up our eyes to the
wonders and excitements of our own writing. Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Rentz inspired us to write
our inspirations. They taught us the importance of words and how words can inspire us and
others around us. Mrs. Hansen and Mrs. Rentz had a strong love for writing and understood the
significance and importance of writing.
I owe a lot to Mrs. Rentz and Mrs. Hansen. They both taught me how to write. They
taught me how to recognize good writing. Most importantly, they taught me how to take my love
and passion for writing and make it into something wonderful. I decided to become an English
Teacher because of Mrs. Hansens and Mrs. Rentzs dedication and love for writing and most
importantly the dedication and love for their students.