Response to the Common Reading

My group read an article from the English Journal called “Watch What You

Teach.” This is about a first- year English teacher who actually integrates queer theory

into her lessons. Personally, I feel like she took a huge risk in bringing this as a major

topic in teaching, however, there were parts that I found useful to any student.

First off, this teacher took a major risk in teaching this theory as a first-year

teacher. If any teacher did that around this area, they probably would have had

complaints from the parents, much less have lost their job. I was shocked when she said

that there were no parental complaints and that they were supportive of her curriculum

because students were taking parts of the lesson home and discussing it with their parents.

The quote, “Every student comes to school with a backpack full of books,

emotions, and opinions,” is very powerful. She also says, “It is our responsibility as

educators to help students unpack their backpacks; organize contents within them, and

then decide what texts, feelings and thoughts are important to carry with them inside and

outside of school.” What she means is that students get to decide what feelings they want

to show to their peers and teachers. Nicole had an exercise that connected with this quote.

Students were to write down two things they did not want anyone to know about them.

What I liked about this lesson is that it does not have to refer to only the LGBTQ

community. Every student in that class were able to connect, but also they were able to

empathize with this particular group.

Nicole also states that “students look to their teachers as models for how to be in

the world.” I do have to agree with this statement. Students do look up to their teachers

as role models. This means that we need to accept everyone, no matter what their sexual

orientation is because if students see their teachers making inappropriate comments about

another student, they will think that it is acceptable, when we all know it is unacceptable.

Although some of the lessons were risky, this teacher helped the students open

their eyes and learn not just to tolerate the LGBTQ community, but to accept them for

who they are. Just like Nicole said, she helped them “think outside the box.” The

students became more involved within their school, such as joining the school’s Diversity

Club and Gay Straight Alliance. She also showed other teachers how to create a safe

environment in the classroom and broke many stereotypes in the school.