U and V: University Years and Van Buren High School

U is for University Years. I spent my undergraduate years at The University of Findlay as an English and education major. Therefore, I was in a lot of classes where all we did was read literature--or to state that differently, I was in heaven! I enjoyed my undergraduate years because I read so many great pieces of literature and I was able to discuss those pieces with some of my best friends.

During my undergraduate experience I took everything from American Literature to Early English Literature to African American Literature to World Literature and a even a class devoted solely to Shakespeare. Just as high school and the summer after high school were my growth periods in regards to reading, I grew even more in college. To think that I now read Shakespeare in my leisure time is an abstract thought for that seventh grade version of Austin to think about.

I value the education that I received at The University of Findlay, and enjoyed each and every one of my professors for inspiring me to keep reading, keep thinking, and keep pushing on. In one semester alone, I read 32 books between four literature classes. During that time it was really the semester from Hades, but looking back on it now I'm proud that I was able to do it. If I could get through that time period, while also enjoying it, I can get through anything. Reading in college has definitely been a lot more complex, but it has allowed me to think critically while also fostering my imagination skills at the same time. I wouldn't trade my undergraduate education or the continued love for reading that it brought me for anything in the world.

V is for Van Buren High School. I had both my junior block experience and my student teaching experience in Mr. Bratt's English classroom at Van Buren High School in Van Buren, Ohio. I taught tenth and twelve graders various ways to write, read, and discuss different ideas. During my time in his classroom I was able to teach a variety of non-fiction short stories (including works by Malcolm X, Bernard Malamud, and Anton Chekhov--just to name a few), The Canterbury Tales, and Julius Caesar.

This definitely earns a spot in my literacy history because, apart from short classroom presentations, this was the first time I as able to teach others about various pieces of literature. I taught them about different literary devices, helped them analyze characters, and asked them questions that ignited great conversations related to their personal lives (I can thank Mrs. Malchow for that one). I also created activities that helped them extend what they learned from the pieces of literature in order to use that information in their own writing.

This experience was also special because it taught me to be a quick learner. I had never read Julius Caesar before teaching it to this class (somehow I escaped from it during my high school and college years). I was one act ahead of my students the whole time, and I was still able to teach it effectively and enjoy it at the same time. I already knew a lot about the history of Caesar's time period, and I could talk for days about Shakespeare, so that helped. However, this experience taught me that I could enjoy teaching any piece of literature as long as I could connect it to my students. We discussed friendships, dating, and, at times, I even quoted Will Ferrell and used examples from Jersey Shore. I never thought reality television would have any impact on my students' learning, but it did. My experience actually teaching literature helped me grow immensely into the reader I am today. I can't wait to get back into the classroom to teach more children about the wonder of words!