28 January 2011
Dear Bryan,
Let me first start off by saying how much I look forward to your class this semester. I went to St. John Fisher College for my undergrad and after moving back home after graduation, I chose LeMoyne for grad school. I didn’t really enjoy my classes last semester, I felt I didn’t get much out of them and the work assigned was “busy work.” I am only telling you this because I think you and your course are gong to be the complete opposite. Leaving your class Monday, I had the impression that you enjoy teaching, sharing your passion of writing and really want to be there with us for the next several Mondays of your life. I enjoyed reading your letter and although we have only met once, I can almost hear your telling these stories in person. So here is my attempt to respond to your rambling with some of my own stories.
Growing up in Syracuse, attending Westhill High School, I have to say I didn’t have much experience writing. I agree that it was very test-driven and there was pressure to do well on the state exams. I would hate writing papers on books that we had read or writing DBQ’s for global because they were so boring. We never had a free write or choices when it came to writing. The only year I actually remember writing multiple times was my junior year, when we had to prep for the regents. When I got to college, I wasn’t really expected to write much, either. I had a few “final papers” but nothing on a consistent basis. My majors were Adolescent Education and French, and I found myself completing projects and presentations more than taking tests and writing papers.
I did the most writing in my French courses at Fisher. Each of my eight semesters I had to do a final project which included a 45 minute presentation along with a 10-15 page paper (in French). It did not get any easier by the time I was a senior. These papers were research papers, so again, I did not have much of a choice on what or how to write. If I had the choice to write a story or even an autobiography in French, it would have went much better.
There have been a few life experiences that have brought me to this class this semester. As I mentioned earlier, I went to SJFC, in Rochester, for my undergrad, but now live at home in Syracuse. I have amazing parents who have always been supportive and two younger sisters. Alexis and Regina, who I love so much. It has been an adjustment moving back home after four years of college, I miss it every day, but everyone has to grow up eventually. I am currently taking three courses this semester while subbing 4-5 times a week at Westhill.
My ultimate goal is to be a middle school French teacher, but I chose to get my Master’s in Literacy because I wanted to explore other options. I know that some of the strategies I will learn can be used in a foreign language classroom as well. I think it is very important to broaden my horizons and step outside of my comfort zone. I don’t really know if I will become a writing or reading teacher, but having the option is always a good idea. Growing up, I have also come to realize that “writing” doesn’t always mean 10-15 page papers of boring information; it comes in many genres and it can definitely be fun to read and write.
A lot of my friends think I am going to be a good teacher because I often act like a kid. I think it is very important to be able to relate to my students and build relationships with each one so they trust me. I have read all of the Harry Potter and Twilight books and seen the movies. My favorite books are Nicholas Sparks books, probably because they give me hope that true love really does exist. Another book that really touched me was My Sister’s Keeper. Since I have two sisters, I was really inspired on what the sisters did for each other.
I have been tutoring a 9th grade girl the past eight weeks and we meet in a public library. I have to admit, I have spent more time in the library lately than all of my 22 years of existence put together. My sister thinks I am a nerd now because I have recently discovered how relaxing and fun the library really can be. Since graduating college and not having a fulltime job, I have had much more free time, where I have found myself reading for fun. A few years ago, I would have never imagined me sitting down and getting into a book and not putting it down. During high school, I always got by without reading entire books and still managed to get mid 90’s in each of my classes. Looking back, I guess with a little more effort I could have done even better.
My parents never really encouraged my sisters and I to write (not like they discouraged it, though), but they did enforce the importance of reading. The only time I have written to my family was when I was in France and I emailed them every day. I was there for a little more than a month and I kept all of our emails and sometimes read them every once and a while to bring back memories. Also while I was in France, I kept a journal that I wrote in every night, in French. My life was much more exciting over there and I have pages of stories and adventures.
Something I have been thinking about recently is the advancement of technology. With texting, email, Facebook, and Twitter, I think our society is forgetting how to write in formal situations. Yes, we have a different language, like “u” or “ttyl,” but I don’t think people realize it is influencing our grammar as well. For example, my three best friends and I email each other all the time, since we are scattered across the country now. I tend to not write in sentences or paragraphs. I always express a thought… and then go right in to the next one like this… and definitely do not worry about punctuation and capitalization… it’s fine for a friendly email, but sometimes it is hard to get back in the formal mindset.
I have known that I wanted to be a teacher almost my whole life. Since I have two younger sisters, I always played “school” with them and was the teacher. I still help them with homework all the time. I also knew that I wanted to be a French teacher since high school. The first time I heard French was when I was 3 years old. I took ballet classes for fourteen years. The majority of the steps in ballet are in the French language and I fell in love with the language back then. It also helped that I had nearly perfect grades in the subject from 7th-12th grades. Students are so innocent and they always make me laugh. Between student teaching, teaching in my long-term sub position, and subbing almost daily now, I have hundreds of stories on how students make my day. I know I want to give back and make an impact on young lives.
After reading The Writer’s Notebook, it really made me think about how I want to use my own. One idea I had was to write down all of the things that my students say that make me laugh. Children are so innocent (sometimes) and the things they say and do can bring a smile to my face. So many expressions or statements they say are far from the truth but the innocence in their eyes proves them to just be unaware. For example, I was subbing in fourth grade last week, and we read a book on explorers. We talked about how they used to hunt all types of animals for food (bear, rabbit, deer, moose, etc). I said that some of these foods don’t seem normal to our dinners, but the explorers needed to eat. One little girl raised her hand and said that she has had moose before and loved it. I asked her what it tasted like and she said, “Well, chocolate of course! It was chocolate mousse.” I explained to her that we were talking about the animal (after putting my hands to my temples acting out a moose). She was so cute and this is something I wrote down in my notebook.
Hmm... strengths and weaknesses as a writer? I guess I have never really thought about this. I think I am a very creative person. If you give me a few options to choose from and tell me to write, I may come up with ideas that no one else would have come up with. I have an imagination that likes to run wild and I don’t take enough advantage of this. A weakness I have is my lack of confidence when it comes to writing. Thinking back to things I have completed, I remember not wanting anyone else to read it for fear that they wouldn’t think it was good enough. I have to write how I want to and learn to be proud of my work.
A few last minute facts about me. I love spending time with my family and friends and I would be nothing without their constant support. I played soccer for two years in college and loved every minute spent at Fisher. I am a HUGE Syracuse Basketball fan. My parents have had season tickets since I can remember, and love going up to the Carrier Dome for every home game. I enjoy subbing at my home district, Westhill, because it is a great feeling to be back in the hallways I once walked as a student. Not to mention the fact it makes all of my past teachers feel 100 years old J. I also love to travel. I have been to several cities across the country including New York City, Ocean City, Myrtle Beach, Gatlinburg, Miami, Orlando, Vegas, San Diego and many more. I have also been to France, Germany and Belgium. I really hope this course gives me the confidence to write and I learn techniques to bring into my own classroom!
Hope I covered everything, see you Monday—
Lauren Ludovico
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