Letters from Friends

Teach to the child, even when teaching to the test

A career social studies teacher shares memories, advice

Susan French during her teaching years.

Alumna Susan Getzendiner French (BS '68, Education) retired four years ago after 35 years of teaching at Field Middle School, a Field Local School near Akron, Ohio. She taught eighth- and ninth-grade social studies, as well as criminal and civil justice and sometimes Spanish.

When French talks about teaching, her voice radiates a vigor and sparkle that convey her love for the profession. She recently shared stories and advice about teaching based on her wealth of experience. Note, she's still teaching, but now, instead of social studies, it's horseback riding.

"One of my first professors at Ohio State during the 1964-'68 era was Dr. Ray Muessig," French says. "He always displayed a positive attitude, and I quickly learned from him that if I came into the classroom with a positive attitude, the students had positive attitudes in return. I would say to them, 'Show me the best work you can do, because I know you're capable.' And it worked.

"Dr. Muessig also taught us that if you start your class with something really interesting, you don't have to say, 'Sit down and be quiet.' Students want to listen if they're engaged. I would often start with an intuitive history-mystery. Using guided discovery, I took the kids on a journey, letting them experience the excitement of solving a mystery themselves."

Seek to humanize your teaching

French emphasizes that the many regulations imposed on schools can be hard on teachers and students, so being a humanistic teacher is vital. "We have to teach to the child, even when teaching for the tests," she says.

French used games, such as Jeopardy, to make things more exciting. If they studied the president's cabinet, students would each take cabinet positions and tell the rest of the class what they did. "They learned so much more from teaching each other than from listening to me lecture," French says.

French also brought in top experts and took kids on field trips. "Get the kids into real life experiences," she says. "I brought in FBI agents, and once, a dog-tracking team to show how they track criminals. I hid a student and let the other students follow the dog as it searched. I had local judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys came in to help with a mock trial. The kids learned so well that one of the attorneys said, 'These kids know what they're doing. I don't think we need to prep them.'"

Thanks to her approach, French says that 94 percent of her classes, always average students, passed the annual proficiency test in social studies each year.

Her conclusion: "Too much of education is passive when it needs to be active."

Put kids first, even on your bad days

French also gives advice to those just completing their preservice teaching programs: "Have a passion for children first, and then for your subject matter. You must find a way to reach each and every child. Even if you're having a bad day, you must put them first, because they may be having an even worse day than you are."

French recalls a good example. "I had a child come in one day and say, 'Can I just go to the back of the room and cry?'"

She gently asked him if he wanted to talk about it. Because he trusted her, he shared that his dog had died.

French immediately expressed her heartfelt sympathy and understanding. She let him do as requested, and after a short time, he rejoined the class. French found this much more effective than expecting him to continue with business as usual.

"You have to meet kids where they are," she says. "They will meet you halfway if you show a true interest. Know that you're there for the kids. That's your primary goal."

Teaching them to see all sides of the story

Once, when students were blasé toward students in nearby districts who would be bussed to another city, French took action. She asked the principal to deliver a letter to the class announcing that they had been chosen to be bussed as well.

French presented the letter and encouraged discussion about it. Some of the students received the news with dismay, but some considered the pros as well. One by one, individual students gave positive reasons why they were willing to accept the change.

At the end of the period, French told the students the truth, that they would not be bussed. Her approach might not fly today, but it was effective. The students said they now understood why it is important to consider all sides of the story, not just your own.

Championing kids

French also advocates being a champion for kids in need. One of her students was being raped by a family member and asked French to stand by her when she went to the police. Another had a horrible home life, but he was an outstanding student and never let it show. When he graduated, he asked French if they might stay in touch. She replied that it would be an honor.

Years later, he told her, "School was my safe haven. I ran to school because things were so bad at home. At school, my mind was opened. I was challenged and respected. I appreciated the fact that I could come to school and not be afraid. Thanks to you, I still watch current events, I still look at all sides of the story, and I still remember the lessons you taught."

More recently, this same former student was dying of cancer, and one of his last phone calls was to French. "As a teacher, you may never know how much you've touched the life of a child," she says. "So when you touch them, do it honestly, fairly, and with the greatest of respect, because they are people."

Giving back at every chance

When French recently won a Kohl's gift certificate from Ohio State, she immediately donated it. "A freshman girl at the school where I taught is the recipient," she wrote at the end of December '08. "She and her mother are currently living in a homeless shelter because the mom lost her job. Since they had no car, her math teacher, who is also my friend, volunteered to take her shopping. On behalf of this young lady, I would like to thank you, Ohio State and Kohl's, for making this possible!"

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