It is a quiet, still morning on the fourth floor of Corbly Hall. Shirley, Peggy, Amy, Beth and Jennifer St sit among a table of food making last minute preparations for the interviews ahead. Amanda quietly tip-toes by; Peggy directs her toward room 467 and the SI 2008 Interview begins.
The interviewees filter in slowly. Nervous chatter floats around the room amid declarations of cold temperatures and good food. Amy points out that good food is what brings good writers together.
At ten o’clock a.m. Peggy addresses the group, “Good morning!” Peggy is rewarded with a chorus, “Good Morning!” “Ah,” Peggy says, “I love being among teachers, they always answer back.”
Peggy hands out the Interview Program. She explains that introductions of group leaders will come first, then Sacred Writing followed by small group discussions. The program is briefly reviewed: Laura Bently will be our writer in residence, upcoming events, and Peggy talks about fall follow-up activities the group won’t want to miss. Peggy explains that potential SI candidates will be notified of their acceptance the following Saturday.
Shirley places books along the chalk board. Jennifer St exclaims, “Oh, books! I love SI Books!” Shirley encourages the group to explore the books after the interview and during the upcoming SI. Curious teacher eyes go to the books, looking at each one with greedy hands.
Peggy introduces herself as a strong woman who is excited about her students and the wonderful work she does with writing project.
Jennifer St tells of feeling isolated and the sense of belonging she found with SI. She thinks it is no coincidence that her school was torn down after SI 2007.
Amy declares she is a lover of words and language and is bold enough to teach Latin. She cannot wait to see the wonderful ideas the applicants bring to SI 2008.
Beth laughs at being a pre-k teacher who makes her students write everyday and declares she loves her job.
Shirley assures the group that although she is the head of writing project, she is not going to be the teacher of writing project.
Peggy describes Sacred Writing as the time we will come most to look forward to and to cherish. It is the time when we will be writers together and sharing in a process. During SI, the beginning of each morning will be devoted to Sacred Writing.
Peggy introduces the I Am What I Am poem. She reads to us “I Am What I Am” by Rosario Morales. With Rosario’s shnook and schlemiel and take it or leave me alone ringing in our ears, the circled group writes our own I Am What I Am poems.
When writing time is completed, Peggy asks for a volunteer to read first. Ron introduces himself claiming, “I don’t mind reading first,” and boldly shares his poem. Around the group voices call out:
Elliot – I am an early morning loner
Melanie – I like to make a personal connection for my students
Amy – These are all going to be great!
Mary – I have seven children
Joie – I remember people by what they call me
Nikki – I teach music, but I am not a music teacher
Jennifer A – I am shy and quiet
Jennifer M – I’ve always liked teaching
Amanda – I can do this
Beth – Yes, we really do write in pre-k
Julie – They call me to sub because I have discipline
Shirley – I know who I am
Judy – I teach business and we don’t do writing
Jennifer St – I go up to people and demand, “Read this!”
Peggy – I am honored to be a writing project leader
Ford – Students don’t write because they think they can’t
Dolores – I can’t keep from coming back
The group listens in quiet awe as Dolores brings our words to life:
WE ARE TEACHERS
I’ll go first – it’s my talent
I’m a chess player, pieces like bones, redolent of ancestors
I am me, always learning
I’m Appalachian
I’m a lover of words, sometimes distrustful
I am a strong woman, hidden behind, whose words speak volumes, with ideas worth hearing, hand me a microphone…
I am a part of all I’ve read and thought and all I haven’t read and thought, a teacher and a mother, all the time
A mother of seven, tall ones, small ones, and the ones who know it all
Hildegard – I looked normal. “Didn’t your parents like you?” So we cam up with Joie
Am I sorry – not really – I am five names for everything
I am what I am – a vocal music teacher without a degree
I am a lover of pre-k teaching, because I wipe noses and wait for the time when…
I don’t like to stand out, I take in what others say and do – it’s amazing what you can learn by being quiet
I am many things and nothing. I’m just me, all stretched out, going in a million directions: an average person, regular, normal, boring? I can finally afford it
I’m middle class, middle of the road, American – what you dee is what you get
I’m Appalachian, who is here because I chose to be – West Virginia over Harvard
I’m learning the ways of widowhood
I’m alive – feel, breathe, give take – alive
I am a professional life-long learner
I am trusting the process
I am scared, nervous, full of adrenalin
I’m a writer, an academic writer
I am West Virginia born, Kentucky, eleven years on Marshall’s campus – and here I am back again to learn
I am one who has left the hills and come back here too, to serve
I’m a pastor at heart
I am a teacher
I am what I am and right now I am exhausted
in a class out of class
in my different journals
writing to be grateful
I am what I am
I have a beginning and an ending
I think I have the right direction
Can grammar and fun go hand in hand?
I am stuck in the same unknown
Can I be the person they need
I am what I am
Stirring Campbell’s soup
under the afghan you made me
I’m all grown up
Ready to start my own family
wanting to curl up in your lap
I am what I am
a strong voice in a nervous body
the dependable one who wants to be funny and sweet
a teacher who loves teaching
A teacher who has finally found her place
I am what I am
a well educated daughter who is just putting on airs
I wonder what they’ll do – who will I be
My fears are my life without her
I am what I am
I am a Kentucky girl who didn’t marry my cousin
I speak with a loud voice
I am an optimist
a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend
I am the eldest of six children
a mother of two
and most of all I am just me.
We are teachers.
The group disperses to grab treats and restroom breaks before heading to other rooms to discuss our concerns and ideas about using writing in our classrooms.
After the small group discussion, the group reconvenes as a whole. Group members fill out an exit slip about how they are feeling and what they are unsure of at this point. Peggy and Jennifer St look at books displayed along the board. Amy and Shirley discuss with Dolores how wonderful they believe this year’s SI is going to be. Beth collects exit slips as group members begin to leave, each hoping to hear from Peggy the following Saturday.
