Antony+Giles

This is the thank you note I read to my 8th graders on the last day of my internship:

To my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th period classes,

I want to thank all of you for being so eager to learn something new and a bit intimidating. I can’t tell you how it felt everyday walking into an environment like that. There were times I would run up the stairs just to get to class a few seconds earlier than I usually would. Even though none of you will admit it, I know all of you learned something that will stick with you for the rest of your lives. It might not have been about Shakespeare, but it was significant enough that you will never forget it…whatever it might be.

Today is bitter sweet for me. I’m excited to be moving forward in my educational career, but somewhat sad to be leaving you guys. I remember the first day I walked through the door of the classroom. You probably couldn’t tell, but I was a nervous wreck. Once I got to know each and every single one of you, those feeling quickly disappeared. The five weeks I spent with you exploring Shakespeare seem to blur together. It is like they never happened, or happened so fast that I haven’t had time to let the experience marinate in my brain. If there was a way for me to stay for the rest of the year, trust me, I would have jumped at the opportunity.

Each of you, in your own quirky way, taught me that teaching is a daily reward. I am more passionate about teaching now because of each and every one of you. Every conversation, smile and “knuckle up” are worth more to me that any amount of wealth I might acquire in my lifetime. Yeah, yeah…I’ve heard people say that money makes the world go around, but those people have never had the opportunity to be in the presence of so many talented young adults. Thank you for the memorable life lessons you have taught me and the priceless memories you have given me.

Sincerely,

Mr. Tony Giles (aka Mr. G, aka Dr. G)

Tony--

This is a great letter which shows not only how you know the students learned from you, but also how you learned from your students! It is awesome how you had the opportunity to teach Shakespeare during your internship...I think most of us are envious of you while we were drilling and killing grammar instruction. Did you read this letter to your class? I sure hope you did so that they know how much the past month as meant to you! Great job, and I can't wait to hear all about your internship!--Ashley B.

﻿ Tony--

I really liked how you showed your students that you were not only interested in their learning but them individually. Im glad to hear that someone else got to teach something they enjoy teaching. I got to teach poetry and incorporate some of my favorite poets and Shakespeare was one of them! I think it’s awesome that you let your students know that you were nervous and that not everyone is perfect because students always think that teachers are perfect and that we never make a mistake. Now I kinda wish I would have written my students a letter and read it to them after reading yours. Nice job! –Jessica Cross

Tony,  I think it's great how much time you spend affirming your students in the letter. The reader has no doubt that you actually formed relationships with the students that were mutually impacting. You taught them. They taught you. You cared about them. They cared about you. You made an impression on them. They made an impression on you. Wonderful job! -Adriana

I went back into my journal from the first few days of my internship and came across an entry that was half finished, full of side notes and doodles. I figured I'd try to turn my entry into the beginnings of a short story. It's only the first paragraph of...something...so let me know what you think and if I should pursue it.

He walked into the classroom and I could instantly see that he looked a bit out of place. Where did this guy come from? All of my teachers looked like, well you know, like…teachers. There was something different about this one, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I’ll give him a shot; I won’t totally ignore him. He looks like he needs a bit of help, but he’s an adult. I not supposed to help an adult. What is he doing now? Does he really think that I can read that? Is that a name or the scrawling of a toddler? This guy looks like he would jump out of his skin if I tapped him on the shoulder. How funny would that be…BOO! In all fairness, I understand where he’s coming from. I was once the fresh face in the classroom. I understand that the first impression is the most important. So, against my better judgment, I’ll cut him a bit of slack. Maybe I should help him get settled at the desk. I know I might regret this, but here goes nothing. “Good morning everyone, I’m Mr. Giles," I said with zero conviction. "I will be taking over for your teacher for the next couple of weeks…”

HAHAHA I LOVE IT! You definitely need to finish this. I'm sure your kids love and adore you. You have a great personality and I love hearing about your stories in our other class. Keep up the good work Tony! ~ Ashley

___ Today, my students were experimenting with different genres in their journals. Some drew pictures, some wrote poems, others wrote narratives. One student decided to experiment with an acrostic. I had never created one before, so I decided to give it a try. Here is what I came up with...

__**E**__xcited and smiling faces replace the scared looks
Tony: I love the idea of incorporating the multi-genre aspect into their journal entries. This really allows students to express their creativity! Also, you acrostic is awesome. The transition you make from the scared, anxious looks to the excited, smiling faces is very much appropriate. This really makes Shakespeare accessible for the students. What types of things did your students draw? I'm sure this was an engaging activity! Great job!

Tony: Same here, I have heard of the acrostic poem and I see why kids like them. You did a wonderful job! Your poem is real and is nicely balanced with humor, which you have lots of! Did you know that your energy is contagious? What I like about the acrostic arrangement is that you can apply it to anything. I think it is a fun diversion from the "fill in the blank" monotony. This week, I taught figurative language, and this would be a great way for kids to concretely learn those weird terms like onomatopoeia, alliteration, hyperbole, personification, simile, and the wonderful metaphor. Thanks for sharing. Jody Thomas 3/10/11

Tony: This so cool. This is a good way to show students teachers are creative, too. I like how you included all the things English teachers have to get students to understand about Shakespeare and students' reactions to him. My CT does a good job of getting students to understand the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by using the very same ideas you listed. We have to show students why classic literature is timeless and relevant. Good job! LaShelle Turner-Gaston

Hey! I am really glad that you are helping your students make sense of Shakespeare. "Realizing his influence on the world" is not only going to make the guy relevant to them, but to help them see the power behind words in general. I am writing my calendar for my Shakespeare unit and it is a tough thing to organize because there is so much to do and so little time! Keep me updated on their progress! Bethany 3/10/11

Tony, I love how sort of unfold this mini journey for us that begins with a bunch of terrified students, and ends with smiling faces. Because we're all English Ed. Majors, we're all used to that accomplished warm fuzzy feeling that we get from literature, but I think we sometimes forget that these students aren't English majors. The majority of them hate reading. And if we were all under the impression that we were going to walk into classrooms, wave around a copy of //Hamlet//, and watch as all of the kids drool in eager anticipation, then we were dead wrong. But there is something to be said about taking a group of kids that have these misconceptions about literature (and in you're case, Shakespeare), and watching the light bulbs go off inside their heads. Great job! -Adriana Vanderheyden

Tony- This is great. I really enjoyed reading it. I love how each phrase you came up with takes the reader on a journey of the experience of reading Shakespeare. I love how it begins with apprehension and ends with understanding. I know your students are absolutely enjoying having you!! -Lizabeth

Tony- I like the acrostic poem. I tihn kits reallyneat how you turned something like Shakespeare into something that sounds interesting! Really neat. I incorporated multi-genre i-trys for my students while studying poetry and it really worked too. They like having options and being craetive. And they like to share their great ideas :) Overall I like how to reltaed to classic literature its never easy. -Jessica Cross