Nate Gleiner
M.A. English, Bread Loaf School of English
Teaching Philosophy
Important skills I want to teach my students
As an English teacher, I work to inspire my students first to ask questions—of what they read, of those around them, and of their own ideas. This process of inquiry helps them to think critically about the texts we encounter in class, about their relationship to the larger world, and about their understanding of self. The qualities of a good English student—active reading, thoughtful discussion, authoritative analysis—depend on the foundations of critical thinking.
Teaching methods to reach these goals
I frequently exhort my students to “go back to the text,” so often, in fact, that it has become a mantra of sorts. We spend a great deal of time exploring the “what?” of the literature, digging into its language, examining its structure, and working toward an understanding of how an author controls and manipulates the reader. Only after this process do we arrive at an awareness of the “so what?”of the larger idea or intent behind the textual moment. As the year progresses, students begin to internalize this practice, and they, in turn, encourage their peers to “go back to the text,” enriching and enlivening discussion.
My favorite projects
Many individual projects come to mind, but they all have one common vein: student ownership. Whenever possible, students take charge of their own learning, whether in proposing individual and group projects, creating their own essay prompts, or teaching sections of a text to their classmates. The opportunity to explore their own ideas, and to share those ideas with others, creates an environment in which learning becomes authentic and enthusiasm becomes genuine.
What I like best about teaching at Seven Hills
Without question, the students make Seven Hills what it is. I have rarely seen a collection of people so diverse in their interests, yet so unified in their desire to challenge themselves. Their passion, whether on the soccer field or the stage, the classroom or the debate hall, inspires me to better myself as a teacher and a member of this community.