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2/3 of my bookshelf. Doesn’t count my “to read” pile, bathroom pile, bedstand pile, or various books around the house.
Did you have a favorite teacher when you were growing up? One that really shaped the way you thought, or grew up? I did. My favorite teacher was in high school and his name was Mr. Cisler. He was my freshman and junior year English teacher and his classes were amazing. I already loved to write by that point, and was a big reader, but Mr. C brought me to a whole new level of appreciation of the art of fiction by bringing the classics to life.
When we studied Herman Hesse’s “Siddhartha,” we all sat crossed-legged on the floor and learned how to do meditation that is supposed to lead you to a higher state. I know other students struggled with studying Jean-Paul Sartre, but Mr. C’s classic, high-pitched “Iden-TI-TY!”, with a slight French accent, of course, always brings to mind the frog-faced author and the deeper meaning behind his writings. The difficult “Six Characters in Search of an Author”? No problem! We simply acted it out. When we studied “The Canterbury Tales” by Chaucer, we had to dress up as each character and recite a short poem we wrote to match the story.
I never read a book the same way after that, and it’s why I love reading new classics, like “The Crimson Petal and The White” and old, like “Middlemarch.” Mr. Cisler taught to me to take intelligent fiction and learn life lessons from it.
That’s why I’m psyched to share with you Hilton HHonors Teacher Treks Travel Grant program, which will fund 15 teachers to travel and to experience first-hand the subjects they teach. Just think: a teacher has the chance to bring the vision Mr. Cisler brought into my classroom to their classes by traveling to the places that inspired their curriculum. Hilton HHonors will give 15 winning teachers a $6,000 grant to travel to the destination of their choice, such as submitted travel destinations, like discovering how Shakespeare resonated with other European cultures, or participating in the week-long Math Olympiad program in China. Another 15 runners-up win $2,500 grant for cultural activities or enhancement, and one winner will receive a $1,500 cultural excursion for their class.
Cast your vote for the finalists at www.hhonors.com/TeacherTreks (SITE NOW CLOSED) When you vote, each vote counts as an entry toward a $250 Hilton HHonors gift card, so don’t delay – vote for your favorite teacher today! We need more Mr. Cislers in this world, and your vote can help pick the next one!
This post is sponsored.
maria @ close tohome says
what a great program. I love to hear teachers can get these perks.
Gina B says
I agree, it’s nice to see programs like this.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
So true!! What a great point/post!
Gina B says
Thanks!
Becky says
I have loved to read since I could remember, but I still remember all of the read aloud books that my fifth grade teacher read to us. What a great opportunity from Hilton!
Gina B says
Wow, Becky, that’s some memory! You probably have a teacher to thank for that as well, lol
carrie says
I’m married to a teach and I teach part-time. It is a great job inspiring young minds! I think the only reason I love math (and teach it now) is because I had a great math teacher for 3 years in high school. He was great! English and I didn’t get along as well… but then I married an English teacher 🙂
Gina B says
Ah a math teacher, I had one in college that was a real visionary, she got me to love calculus and see its more abstract uses. Cool for you.
David says
What a fascinating idea the Hilton HHonors teacher Trek Competition is! I have read all of the essays and my favorite by far is Sandra K. In her entry she wrote that as a reading teacher, she promotes books as powerful and accessible means for students to travel. She would like to travel to the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, just off the coast of Tanzania, and Mauritius, east of Madagascar “… to observe firsthand how the people on both of these islands – comprised of minorities and the meeting of cultures that have been in conflict in other parts of the world – have found ways to live side-by-side…”
What an admirable goal. I hope she is one of the winners and how fortunate it would be to be a student in her classroom after she returns.
Gina B says
David, I agree! I love what this contest brings out in teachers, their dreams can really bring a shine to students’ eyes.
Gina B says
Yes, that’s how I feel about Mr. C! I was lucky to have twice too.