On our second day together, I asked my ninth grade students to fill out a short survey; the last question was “What would you like for me to know about you?” I was glancing back over their answers today, and it just struck me that in the collective they formed this really beautiful portrait of what it is to be a 14-year-old kid starting high school in the middle of this tough year, so I did some cutting and pasting and assembled them into a poem:
What I Would Like for You to Know about Me English is my favorite subject. Football is my favorite sport. I have ADD. I'm dyslexic. I can get distracted. I've been playing an Xbox game which immerses you into the Greek World during the Peloponnesian War. I go by Kate. I'm a team player and a hard worker. I learn the best from watching educational YouTube videos. I like soccer, and I also like adventures. I am still trying to adapt to online learning, so I might make a lot of mistakes. I hope you will understand! I can be very quiet at times, but I will open up eventually. I have really bad anxiety, so I might have to contact you about a lot of stuff. I have never been good at describing myself, but once we are in person I know that you'll get to know me really well! I’m tall. I am an athlete.. I'm not very patient. I talk a lot. I am a little bit shy. I don't have any allergies. I'm very glad to be here. I lived in Africa for two years. I have a dog named Beverly and a cat named Bonita. I would like to have a career in business and law. I've been an Indian classical dancer since I was 4. I might ask lots of questions bc I want to make sure I have everything right. I have struggled with grammar in the past. I also do not feel confident in my writing. I want to be a screenplay writer. I want to like writing. I'm a slow learner. I am forgetful. I like reading, and I also foster cats. My parents discourage fun. I am very good with technology. (Very good.) I will devour any book that is put in front of me. I’m very curious and like to know about history. I will work diligently to complete my work. I've invented something. I don't know anything I would like you to know about me. If you ever need a translator for Spanish, it's my first language and I am more than happy to help. I look forward to the school year with you.
Using My Teacher Voice 