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A Voice from the Future

11/25/2014

13 Comments

 
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NCTE 14 was a jam-packed three days of learning, reconnecting with old friends, discovering new ideas and authors, and thinking. During those three days I had many interesting and note-worthy experiences – like sitting next to Yetta Goodman at a general session (yes, Yetta Goodman!), or listening to Seymour Simon talk about the importance of kindness in the classroom. But there was one small moment that filled me with a sense of hope.

I had arrived early for a session, and asked a young man if I could share his bench outside the room where an earlier session was still going on. We fell into conversation and I quickly learned that his name was Brian and that not only was he from my area of Pennsylvania, but he also was a graduate of the school district where I had taught for twenty-seven years. Brian was going to be student teaching in the spring, and NCTE was his first conference. I could tell by the number of notes already jotted down in his notebook that he wanted to take everything in. His face lit up when he started to tell me how much he had learned already at the conference, how he looked forward to teaching poetry to middle school students, and how he enjoyed the work he did in the writing center at his university. As we talked I managed to point out a few of our educational “rock stars” as they walked by. Brian immediately wanted to know about them and what books they had written. He was a sponge!

As I listened to the enthusiasm in Brian’s voice, I knew I was listening to the next generation of teachers who will put the right book into the hands of a student, or who will make just the right suggestion during a writing conference. Brian and I continued to talk about the teachers who had influenced him, about his fellow students (whom he said were pretty much all as excited about teaching as he was), and about books he wanted to read.

The fifteen minutes I spent with this young man are among my fondest memories of NCTE 14. They filled me with hope for the future of education. They filled me with hope for the beginning teachers who already understand the importance of growing professionally through the sharing of ideas. And they filled me with hope that it doesn’t change for them or for us. 


13 Comments
Adrienne link
11/24/2014 09:58:17 pm

I find these kinds of conversations inspiring and invigorating. They remind me why I became a teacher and make m want to do a better job.

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Rose
11/25/2014 08:38:08 am

Thanks for commenting, Adrienne.

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Clare and Tammy link
11/24/2014 10:07:51 pm

Love this moment Rose -- hope is so important right now. It was great to see you and connect --we are looking forward to next fall.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Clare and Tammy

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Rose
11/25/2014 08:39:21 am

Great to see you, too! Thanks.

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Laura
11/24/2014 10:20:05 pm

Yippee for the reminder that there are new teachers coming on board who love literacy and who are so eager to learn. Indeed, teaching is a state of learning.

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Julieanne link
11/24/2014 11:42:09 pm

This is a lovely moment you share and so important. On my flight home was a beautiful young woman who attended NCTE. She was in a graduate program at my alma mater. She told me the conference made her want to get back with the middle schoolers she taught before graduate work. My hat is off to NCTE for providing such an event that inspires both young and old-er to teach! Thank you for your post.

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Rose
11/25/2014 08:41:24 am

I'm always amazed at the mix of authors, teachers, and literary legends who gather together with one purpose in mind at NCTE.

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Stacey link
11/25/2014 12:32:33 am

I LOVE that you captured these moments with Brian. He sounds like he's going to be an exceptional educator. I love seeing fresh, new faces at NCTE (and at conferences in general). Their enthusiasm is refreshing.

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Tara link
11/25/2014 02:58:39 am

Love moments like this - you can see bright moments for the future of teaching.

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arjeha link
11/25/2014 08:13:51 am

Let's hope he never loses that excitement. He need teachers like him. On another note, I enjoyed talking with you at the Holocaust Museum.

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LInda Baie link
11/25/2014 08:24:44 am

What a lovely story. I love seeing those young teachers. I have an assistant now who wants to work on his teaching and apply for an alternative program next year. How lucky he was to connect with you, too!

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Aileen
11/25/2014 10:04:34 am

I'm so glad you wrote about this experience. You really captured your excitement for his enthusiasm. I say near him at the Subday brunch and wanted to run right up to him. I had to remind myself you met him, I had not, although I felt, through your descriptions that I had!

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Ramona link
11/29/2014 10:32:05 pm

I also enjoyed chatting with young educators at the conference! Love this post for the hope it embodies for the future. I missed meeting you, but consoled myself with the purchase of one of your books!

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