Past English teachers teach you what they need to, following the instructions of the core curriculum through a fixed agenda. These teachers were given directions from someone higher up. They themselves were taught how to teach and what to teach, ignoring the true value of education, which is helping kids and motivating them to learn. My first year at SUNY Albany I was paired up with the best English teacher I could ask for. Professor Baldwin’s relevant and meaningful teachings demonstrated to me a good example of how a teacher should teach. Of course, there are requirements that must be fulfilled but there are also other key principles that must be coached to students, like small things such as how to write a proper email, how to cite your sources because a little mistake such as unintentional plagiarism can be a huge deal in college. I’ve learned to explore the subject of writing and English and how it’s so prevalent in everyday life. By reading a tweet, an article or simply watching a funny youtube video on Charlie The Unicorn (which was the best day of class) , we can analyze so much about a text and discover much more meaning and purpose to why a message is brought up the way it is. She made a once boring and tedious subject something that I was eager to learn and excited to go to class for.
The power of evidence is huge in the class, not only did I become a better writer since I could back up a claim with outside information, but I also became a better-rounded person especially when it comes to arguing anything really. One thing I will remember Professor Baldwin said there’s always people on FaceBook or other social media sites who will repost things such as “black lives matter” or “pray for Paris.” Although these causes are important to talk about if we don’t have background knowledge on a topic, our opinion on it is both insincere and ignorant. Basically, know what you’re talking about because knowledge is power and the more you know the better you look. It’s also very important to state your voice, Professor Baldwin always wanted us to be responsive in class and once we weren’t, she would pick on someone randomly to and hear their perspective. Self expression is important now more than ever and it’s what you believe that sets you apart from everyone else.
Good teaching is about friendship and comfortability. I consider Professor Baldwin not only a good teacher but a good friend. My English Professor was a great mentor and one of the few people I felt comfortable enough to look to for guidance. A teacher that can help you in multiple ways is what makes someone an excellent teacher.
