Heidi’s is one of our passionate English teachers at CHESS! She enjoys learning about historical events and figures and loves passing that on to her students. An avid reader, Heidi strives to encourage the love of books in her students, helping them to identify and appreciate good literature.
“Why I Love Teaching English” – Heidi Wethered
Heidi Wethered
I love to read! As a child, my favorite gifts were always books. I know it sounds cliché, but reading allows a person to experience different places, people and times that one could never be able to do over the course of a lifetime. I honestly believe that I learned as much history from reading historical fiction books as I did in my history classes because the events came alive.
English was always one of my favorite classes in school. In addition to literature, I strongly believe it was important to give students a good foundation in grammar so that they would be able to write well. I tell my students that is the one skill they will use regardless of what they do in their future. When Mrs. Taylor contacted me about taking over the English classes for a former CHESS teacher who was moving out of state, I jumped at the chance.
I strongly believe it was important to give students a good foundation in grammar so that they would be able to write well. I tell my students that is the one skill they will use regardless of what they do in their future.
It is my hope that my students will develop an appreciation for classic literature. C. S. Lewis once said, “In reading great literature, I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. I see with a myriad of eyes, but it is still I who see. . .I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.” My goal is to expose my students to writers that will inspire them to read more great works of literature. I believe that well-written books encourage people to use their imagination and to think deeply.
Classics show both the positive and negative aspects of life. I want my students to learn to identify the complexities of human nature and to determine the truths found in the Bible, even if the work is not explicitly written from a Christian perspective. By learning literary devices and how they are used by different authors or poets to convey their ideas, beliefs, and emotions, it is my hope that students will be able to analyze what they read and to develop their own writing style. In addition, because classics stand the test of time, they are often alluded to in other parts of our culture. It is helpful for students to be familiar with these references. Most importantly, I want students to gain the ability to evaluate whatever they read through the lens of a Christian worldview.
I want my students to learn to identify the complexities of human nature and to determine the truths found in the Bible, even if the work is not explicitly written from a Christian perspective.
It has been exciting for me to see my students connect with the books we are reading. I enjoy hearing “I loved that book!” when they have finished a book they have read for the first time. Our class discussions are entertaining, especially when critiquing characters! I’ve been so impressed with students who make connections between characters in different books we’ve read over the course of the year. While reading The Odyssey, the eleventh- grade class used their creative and artistic skills to illustrate each of the places that Odysseus visited on his return home.
I love teaching homeschoolers! Having been a homeschool mom, it is wonderful to be back in the midst of other families who see the value of homeschooling. It is a true joy for me to be part of the CHESS family. I appreciate being able to be open about my faith with the students and to be part of such an encouraging and supportive atmosphere.
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