Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Prompt #8)

By Seneca Barker


Last Thursday I got the opportunity to observe Maggie Myers, an English teacher at Williamston High School, doing what she does best.

I'm currently taking a class at Michigan State called TE 150, that explains all the basics about how to teach a child and run a classroom. I've learned many great things while in this class, but nothing is better than actually watching someone teach. Especially someone as great as Mrs. Myers.

Mrs. Myers has taught me something no textbook or lecture could, passion.

I was luckily enough to be in her English class three out of my four years of  high school, so I know how well she can teach. However, I saw just how much she truly cares about her students during my visit last week. A quality that's crucial to doing this job effectively.

I've had to read a lot about the process of handling problem students and how to run a class smoothly, but I've never really read about the love of the job. That's exactly what I saw on Thursday. Mrs. Myers has inspiring passion for what she does. Observing her class showed me that teaching can be very hard, especially when there are students in the classroom that don't want to be taught. A love for teaching that makes you want to pursue the best for each student is crucial. That's the important part most textbooks leave out.

While I was there one of her students asked me, "why would you even want to be a teacher anyways?"

It's because of what I've seen in teachers like Mrs. Myers. Genuine care for the education of every single kid that go through her classroom. Teachers like her who have taught me lessons I can't learn from my textbook. Superheros of the classroom. Thank you, Mrs. Myers.

Mrs. Myers (bottom, second from the left) with students from my English 12 class.