A little about your teacher: I have lived in Winston-Salem, NC, now, for 3 years, but I grew up in Richmond, VA. I have an English Degree from Christopher Newport University (also in Virginia), and I worked for nearly 5 years as a writing and reading tutor. I am married to a wonderful woman who teaches high school Spanish. We are excited to adopt a Beagle or a Labrador puppy in the next year! I love to read and write and have been devouring books since I was a child. Some genres I enjoy reading (and writing) are classic adventure, science fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction.
In the last few years, I have developed a love for adventure literature: books about famous explorations and heroic figures. One of my favorite titles is "The Lost City of Z," by David Grann. This enticing story takes readers on a jungle journey with famous explorer, Sir Percy Fawcett, who mysteriously vanished in the Amazon wilderness in the early 20th century. I did not always enjoy non-fiction, though. As a young man, I favored science fiction thrillers by Michael Crichton, like "Sphere," "Timeline," and "Jurassic Park." The "Harry Potter" saga is still a favorite, as is J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic, "The Lord of the Rings." Aside from the characters of these amazing novels, one of my real-life heroes is Bear Grylls, world famous survivalist and outdoor adventurer. His novel, "The Kid Who Climbed Everest," paints a riveting picture of the mountaineering life, as does "High Adventure," by famous mountain climber, Sir Edmund Hillary. As for classic literature, I still favor the exciting ones, like Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," about a maniacal genius who travels the globe in his submarine, or James Fenimore Cooper's "The Last of the Mohicans," which follows a small band of Indians with their white brother as they try to protect a fair maiden during the French and Indian War!
If you haven't figured it out yet, I not only just enjoy reading about adventures... I enjoy having adventures, too! I am an avid outdoorsman and frequently write about my exploits. Check back from time to time to see if I have posted any of my most recent articles!
Now on to the more prevalent question: why am I your English teacher? A number of life experiences have brought me to the career of teaching. First and foremost is my appreciation for people like you! Teenagers continue to blow me away with their passion for life! You guys are the fire in our society. One day, you'll be leading this nation to greatness! As a teenager, you have amazing ideas, and you have the capacity to be fearless! I respect that, and it is my desire to harness your abilities for good. My experiences as a reader and a writer have also brought me to teaching. Books are awesome! I know no better way to say it. Inside a book are different worlds, the keys to a character's soul, the answers to life's biggest questions. And in writing, you will find an outlet for life's daily struggles, a silent companion that knows only how to listen. In writing, you will discover just how much you have to say, and you will learn to communicate clearly and effectively.
As your teacher, I hope to be someone you feel you can trust. I hope to make English fun, knowing its dangerous potential to err on the side of boring. I hope to challenge you, developing your skills as a writer and a reader. I hope this will lead to your very best work, a body of writings you can be proud of. I hope to build your character and prepare you for the real world by nurturing you into an individual of integrity. I intend to hold you accountable for your responsibilities. There are no short cuts in life, nor are the pursuit of such avenues worth the trouble in the end. Ultimately, I hope you will become a better writer, a life long reader, and a strong, confident individual who knows his or her true worth.
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