By SUSAN DROMEY HEETER, Joyful Musings
Today I muse joyfully on looking ahead to my final school year, my final going back in September, my final creation of roll books and seating charts. I’ll retire in June and expect this year will be one of my most interesting, successful and joyful times. Teaching high school is and always has been – fun, interesting, educational and challenging.
But, more often than not, the challenges don’t necessarily come from the students, rather, the people who create laws and policies that can be cruel, disruptive, and the absolute antithesis to success. Generally, these are white men who have never taught high school, never done hall duty, have no idea how to rein in a class after a bomb threat or fire drill. And yet, they claim to “speak for the people.”
If you’ve read Garry Rayno ‘s most recent column, (https://indepthnh.org/2024/07/20/distant-dome-constitutional-rights-are-being-eroded/) you will notice that several of the governor’s actions were signed on a Friday afternoon. That is the epitome of cowardice, a Friday dump, an “I’ll wear a baseball hat and sunglasses” moment. Cowards, excuses, stunning cruelty. Nothing to see here, folks. Move on.
When I return in September I’ll teach as I’d like to believe I always have, with kindness, curiosity, acceptance and tolerance. As I teach both Spanish and French, I’ll teach gender neutral pronouns and ask students what name they would like to be called. I’ll listen and learn from my classes, tweak my instruction and work to make students comfortable, at ease and accepted. I’ll challenge them to work, to study, to understand. I’ll teach them as human beings, capable of critical thinking, capable of learning, capable of profound insight.
When I look back on my own education, I think of how, more often than not, I was challenged by the Sisters of Saint Joseph, those women who taught with an incredible depth of knowledge and encouraged both curiosity and a pure lack of sugar coating. When we learned of the murders and corruption of governments in El Salvador in the 70s and 80s, we spoke of politics and leaders, death and poverty, truth and lies. Now, over fifty years later, I remember those discussions and debates and have followed Central and South American politics ever since. The United States does not come out smelling of roses, what a concept.
Today it seems as if discussions are dismissed as “potentially disturbing” and, yet, especially today, critical thinking is vital to a strong and educated society. I muse joyfully we will have one, that you will support educators, students, administrators and content that not only educates but challenges with truth, integrity, fact.
Be well, musers, if you teach, let’s eradicate ignorance and intolerance, unkindness and cruelty. If you learn, continue to do so. If you vote, I muse joyfully you’ll know what to do.
Susan Dromey Heeter is a writer from Newmarket who recently let her hair go au natural white. Writing has been her passion since her English majoring days at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Dromey Heeter has lived in The Netherlands, Alaska and currently basks in all things New England, including the frigid winters. An avid swimmer, Dromey Heeter’s great passion is to bring back body surfing as most children have no idea how to ride waves without ridiculous boogie boards.
