English Teacher Chris Billie Wins Honorable Mention in the Make a Difference Award

English teacher Chris Billie was awarded an Honorable Mention in the school's Make a Difference Award, sponsored by the PTO.  Chris teaches English 1, Senior Composition, and Senior Literature.  Kids love her for her sunny disposition, the way she values student home culture, and her clear and well-structured teaching.

"I guess you were right after all."

While I'm a big fan of  "English teacher stuff" like thesubjunctive tense and all things related to Henry David Thoreau,  I realize that our most influential teachers affect us in many more ways than delivering content knowledge.  Hinsdale Central English teacher Mike Palmquist recently forwarded me this email from one of his past students.  I think it's a testament to the powers of teachers on young lives.  It's also a testament to how HC teachers change students' perception of "what can be done in life."

Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 1:48 AM
To: Palmquist,Michael  

Subject: A Moment of Truth at 1:47 in the Morning Mr. Palmquist

 I had you three years ago for American Studies (great class by the way). I remember you assigning us a five page paper one morning and getting a unanimous groan from the whole class about how unfair that was. You said that one day we would be struggling to get all of our thought into fifteen pages. I thought that was the biggest joke I had ever heard... Well. Here I am... Trying to write a fifteen page final paper on why or why not global governance works. I just hit twenty-five pages. I guess you were right after all.  Thought you'd like to know.

HC English Teacher a Golden Apple Finalist

Kim Williams with a student she nominated for Student of the Quarter recently

Hinsdale Central English Teacher Kim Williams has been nominated for the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.  And just a day or so ago she learned that she will be a FINALIST (32 finalists, 10 winners).  Great job, Kim!  

In the next weeks Golden Apple officials will visit our school, observing her classes and interviewing teachers and students.  An article is in the Doings, now:  http://oakbrook.suntimes.com/news/18850655-781/hinsdale-central-teacher-named-golden-apple-finalist.html

English Student of the Quarter

Freshman Doug Kramer is the English Department's third quarter Student of the Quarter.  He was nominated by English Teacher Andrew Jones, who teaches Doug in his English 1 class.  Congratulations to Doug!

Great photos of The Musical Grease!

Photo from Hinsdale Magazine

Check out these great photos posted by The Hinsdale Magazine Hinsdale Central's production of the musical Grease!  Congratulations to director and English teacher Christine Hicks!

Here's the link to the entire photo album at Hinsdale Magazine.

Teacher Andy Jones Interviewed About His New Book

Clarendonhills.suntimes.com

Clarendon Hills' Doings Kimberly Fornek interviews English teacher Andy Jones about his new book, Two Seasons in the Bubble in the latest issue.  See the interview about his life in Bulgaria here.  Andy's book is at Amazon.com here.  Here's one part of the interview about teaching:

Q. How were your teaching methods different? 

A. Those four years, I was challenged more than I ever had been before. I couldn’t fall back on familiar references, like the Cubs or the Sox or the Bears. I learned there are so many ways to engage kids. You have to be flexible and adapt. There’s a way to get to every kid.