English this year has really been a great experience for me but also one that has really stood out from all my other English classes in the past, for several reasons. The first one reason is the approach. All my grade school English teachers were basically your average, stereotypically English teachers. They taught strictly though the curriculum. When we had an essay, you got your topic and your requirements, which were solely composed of things like "Size 12 font, spell checked, at least one page, varying verb choice/sentence length", etc. Oh, and when we had a book to read, as long as you read it, it was enough. We never discussed anything worth while [sorry, teachers!]. It was the same old stuff: summary, who did what, the basics. Nothing insightful, nothing I couldn't get from "Spark Notes", lets say. And when we finished a book, I had learned absolutely nothing that I could take with me to learn from. That's probably the reason why I hardly remember any of the books I read in Middle School. Books, projects, and units just came and went.
This year, from the very first day, I knew that English would be different. Mr. Allen just seemed so much more unique than all those other teachers. He really seemed to have a genuine interest in us, our education, the Academy, and the English subject itself. He also seemed intellectual- not that my other or previous teachers weren't, but he seemed to not only have a great deal of education about English and literature, but also a plethora of others subjects, topics, and philosophies. After the first week of class I had already felt that I had learned so much from him, not only things that were English related. I remember the thing that stuck out to me the most, was what he said on the first day. I probably won't get this exactly right, but it was along the lines of "To what degree do I understand that which I am about to reject?". It really made an impression on me because it's such a great question. I seem to now ask myself this every time that I'm faced with a new concept, idea or challenge. It has really, along with all the other insightful stuff Mr. Allen has said, made me think more deeply, openly, and with less of a bias than before. And I can definitely say it has helped me keep an open mind in my educational career and re-evaluate my previous opinions.
Though it may seem that everything is fun and stress-free in English, I should also say that it is a challenge- but not a bad one. I feel like Mr. Allen has challenged me with my thought process and my writing throughout this year. I've been used to easy assignments, 1 dimensional discussions, and easy A papers. But clearly, this is not the case. Yes I'll admit that sometimes it has been a struggle and sometimes I find myself thinking "Why is this just not good enough?", but I always steer back into having a positive attitude and persevering. And most importantly, I know that if I'm truly concerned, stuck, or discouraged in English class, I have absolutely no problem to talking to Mr. Allen. This is because I know that he acts exactly in the same way as he conducts his class: not judgmental, understanding, and accepting of change or other opinions.
I guess I just really feel like this English course is really one that's not typical to the others. Between the interesting books we read, the thought-provoking and meaningful discussions we have, and the useful assignments, I feel like I've really gotten a lot of of just this one semester of English. I feel like I've grown as a thinker, a learner, and just as a student. I feel more capable of thinking deeper, making insightful conclusions, and getting a better understanding of literature just after one semester of this course. It has really made an impact that fast. I find myself utilizing all the concepts and lessons I've learned in English, and know that all this stuff is actually, as opposed to grade school English, something I will remember and use throughout my life. I'm looking forward to another great semester of English and I know that I will be able to learn a great deal of stuff that will further more extend the capabilities of my mind. And lastly, I know that even when the year is over and I've moved on to different things, Mr. Allen will remain as one of those teachers that I'll look back on and think- now that's a teacher that I really learned a lot from. Thanks for a great semester!
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