To the Editor:
Today, I visited the MVRHS for their annual Writer’s Week. I have to admit I was wary of being a guest teacher while the “real teacher” was coincidentally away. But the freshmen English honors class I taught could not have impressed me more. The group was good-natured and polite from the get-go. Once we moved from colorful introductions into writing exercises, their pens did not leave their paper.
I wondered about what they would produce; as a former high school teacher, I found honors kids could often get “stuck” and not feel comfortable taking risks.
During the voluntary share time, students read their stories. Topics ranged from one’s struggles and triumphs with dyslexia to the thrill of hitting a first home run, the dangerous home a student once occupied in New Bedford, and the pleasurable burn of sand on one’s feet at South Beach. They listened with respect to each other. There was no test, no carrot. These kids simply saw an opportunity and responded.
I owe a heartfelt thank-you and congratulations to the high school for putting on this special event. It was pleasure to work with your students and exciting to see their devotion to learning.
Moira Silva
West Tisbury