SamanthaSherlin

Literature is the foundation of my classroom. Literature has always been a passion of mine, and it is an integral part of a student’s education. Literature is about more than the text in front of you; it involves the ability to analyze, predict, evaluate, and create connections to personal experiences. I focus on collaborative learning in my classroom to encourage students to present, create, and critique ideas. These are all skills that our students will need in any profession from food service to CEO. That is why we teach Shakespeare, Austen, Twain, and Achebe; they provide universal experiences and skills for all.

It is not my goal for every single one of my students to fall in love with reading. Every student is unique and has different interests that might include science, computers, math, art, dance, etc. Instead, I want my students to develop an appreciation for these pieces of text that have withstood the test of time and are still relevant today. I hope they become smart consumers of information in the world; I want my students to use those skills we hone and sharpen on texts such as A Doll’s House to call attention to social justice issues, to solve real world problems, and to change the world.

Literature can be fun, and I want to make it fun and engaging. I want to provide my students with the opportunity to delve deep into the literature to see what they find. In some cases they might not find a deep love of reading, and that discovery is perfectly fine. In others, they might just find themselves in the pages of a book like I did.