Frequently when I'm blogging or doing some other form of writing, I'm tempted to use the phrase "a lot" to describe a great quantity of something. But I just can't use it in good conscience. This is not to say that I don't ever use a lot, well a lot. I just feel bad about it whenever I do. I can hear Ms. Barden's voice in the back of my head every time I do - "A lot is a piece of land, not a unit of measurement!"
Ms. Barden, my high school English teacher, was by far the best teacher I've ever had (and I've had some wonderful ones).
The first class I had her for was Honors American Literature, my 10th grade English class. I was alternatively terrified and awestruck in that class. Ms. Barden was a force of nature. She was not in any way an easy teacher. She would call students out for being idiots when they were being, well, idiots. One way or another you were going to think and work in her class. But best of all, she really respected us. She wasn't looking for form answers, she would really listen and praise when we did well. Praise that actually meant something. She was one of the first teachers who treated us like we were real, intelligent people, and nothing less would be expected. It was fantastic.
I also wrote my first, real, research paper for that class. Unfortunately, I didn't quite grasp the difference between they're, their and there by the time I turned my final paper. After about 10 corrections, she wrote in big red letters "I give up!" I felt so horrible for disappointing her, and myself, that for the next year or so I would force myself to double check every single they're/their/there because I knew there was no excuse to get them wrong. I'm only human, so I still mix them up occasionally, but I do know the difference.
Even after being slightly traumatized by the there/y're/ier, I was overjoyed when Ms. Barden took over AP English my senior year. That class was even better. We all knew each other, and that class really started to feel like home. In between Hamlet and Wuthering Heights (which remain some of my favorite novels) she would tell us stories about college and all sorts of things about growing up that somehow made everything about the scary imminent new world seem like something I could handle. I also remember her giving us her home phone number and telling us that if we were ever at a party or something we were to call her at any hour of the night, and she would be there to take us safely home. She might lecture us a bit on the drive home, but she wouldn't tell our parents - she just wanted us to be safe.
Graduating was bitersweet, especially leaving that class behind. For our final we each got to choose from a list of possible projects. My heart almost burst with pride when she told me that the 1 minute novel idea was largely done because it was perfect for me, and she wanted to see what I would come up with. It was my last high school project, and I rocked it, just like she knew I would.
I don't think remembering her every time I break one of the rules she drilled into me is quite the legacy Ms. Barden was hoping to pass on. But every time I read a good book and am forced to think about it in spite of myself, or I write something I'm proud of, I think of her. Most of all, I remember how much she cared and respected us. Thanks Ms. Barden, thanks a lot.
Isn't it amazing how some teachers completely shape the way we are? I had a few high school teachers like that (one being my english teacher) and I think of him every time I want to spell a lot 'alot'. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy AP English teacher in high school was similar — only less personable and more grouchy. However, she's the reason I felt confident enough to pursue a writing career. In class we were scared of her — but in a good way. Once, she wrote on one of my papers, "I have no clue where you're going here." After the initial shock and embarrassment I figured out what I'd done wrong and never again made that mistake. She didn't praise much, but when she did we knew we deserved it.
ReplyDeleteShe really was a force of nature, wasn't she? Man, she is one amazing woman. It was a sad day when she retired.
ReplyDeleteAnother thanks out to Mrs. Barden. :)
I still love Ms. Barden! I thought I was the only one that didn't get the "a lot" thing and boy I made that mistake all the time, among many others. That class really stretched me and I learned more in that class than any other in my high school career. I even invited her to our wedding reception and she came!
ReplyDeleteOh, but "a lot" is a rather large piece of land, so it's an implied quantity. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis made me feel all warm & fuzzy. Not because I have the faintest idea who this woman is (other than your high school English teacher), but because I think she would be so happy to have had such an effect on you. She sounds like a pretty amazing woman. And good on her for treating you like real people. I always hated being treated like an inferior by my high school teachers, especially my junior and senior years.