If there ever was a time for English language arts teachers (PreK-Graduate) to wrench out of the hands of those who do and would define who we are, what we do, how we teach, when we teach, and what we teach—the time is NOW! Over the next months, as we approach NCTE’s national convention in St. Louis, I want to have a conversation that explores our defining who we are—ourselves. This conversation is an important one if we are to re-acquire our Voices, our Agency, and our Mission.
As for me, I am a lifelong, dedicated passionate English teacher who loves students, literature, writing, research, reading, and other ELA teachers. Like our students, I remain ever-curious, and I have had and continue to have the unique privilege of teaching secondary and college students, as well as collaborating with colleagues as I present, work with students, conduct workshops, etc.
Despite the challenges we all have every day as educators, I still love the profession and know that WE must now tell our narratives. We much explain in no uncertain terms that what we do as English teachers, students in this entire United States of America depend—from cradle to grave– on the foundational life-long skills we teach: reading, writing thinking, speaking, listening, and viewing. English, yes, fiction and nonfiction, poetry and film, art and music—these elements abound in our classes.
Now is the time for us to rebrand and assume control of our narrative. Let’s talk!
Jocelyn A. Chadwick, PhD 
Way to go, Jocelyn! I’m with you all the way.
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Thank you, so much, Wanda. Your support means so much.
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Well said, Jocelyn. This may be a long, hard struggle, but we can do it.
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A long journey, yes, Michael, but a journey on which we must all embark–PreK-Graduate) if we are to survive and flourish to help our students. Glad you’ll be on it, too.
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Agency for our students begins w/teachers’ confidence. ELA teachers work long hours and too hard to allow uninformed actors to steal away our love.
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Spot on, Karen. You are and have been an amazing model.
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Well said, Jocelyn. We have a long, hard struggle ahead of us, but we will get there. Especially with you leading us.
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This is wonderful truth spoken. Keep doing the wonderful work and your rewards will be great!
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It may be the age of Big Data, but no story can be told with numbers alone. Those of us with a passion for ELA and its role in developing productive and engaged citizens of the world need to walk the walk and demonstrate just how powerful a good story can be! Agency and advocacy depend on a good tale well told.
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I wholeheartedly agree, and I appreciate how well you voiced this opinion. It is so important for us to retake the narrative, which is too often negative and/or simply inaccurate, that surrounds our classrooms.
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