Grammar Ain't Nothin' But a Buncha Words That Make Sentences

In eighth grade, for some strange reason, our science teacher was suddenly our English teacher. At the end of the marking period, my grade was a B+. Needless to say, I was none to happy. I approached the teacher and asked why I received a B+. He couldn't really give me a reason. He just explained that that was the grade I earned. So, I showed him all of my assignment: the grammar text pieces, the short essays, the other work. I reminded him that I had received A's on everything, plus I contributed to class discussions and all of that. I disagreed with the B+ and asked him to consider changing it to the A I deserved. He did. And I never earned anything lower than an A in an English class (until college, but that's another story).

That same science teacher recommended me for the Advanced English class my freshman year. No one every earned an A in that class, he told me. "It's tough." I guess that motivated me. Indeed, an A was rare in that class, but I worked hard, studied my Warriner's English text, and earned an A. The only other A went to the Class of 1990 Valedictorian at Elk Rapids High School, so I guess it was a decent grade and good attempt. I learned so much in that class. I paid attention, I argued points, I learned grammar.

By the end of the freshman year, 1987, I had determined that I liked English and especially liked to write. That fall, I entered a wonderful class that introduced me to a whole new writing extreme, Seminar in the Essay. The teacher pushed me hard; I think she knew that I liked to write. I worked on the Traverse City Record–Eagle Student Report Page and learned a great deal about journalism, newspaper, etc. I also photographed a great deal for the yearbook. Writing was a good gig and I wrote as often as I could.

I took every English class possible at ERHS. The Advanced English and yearbook teacher was Martha McGuire. Prank phone calls on Friday nights would wonder if "Marty Mc" was available. My friend Bru and I would make a crazy call like that a couple times a year, just to get a chuckle. I could still recite the phone number for you because it was easy, it ended in "8888." The Seminar in the Essay teacher was Sally D. Ketchum. She pushed me hard, edited me too hard, revised my work just because she had that power, but overall, she made me a good writer and continued to foster my love of the written word. Not only did she push me as a writer, but she also helped me develop good study habits for college. Furthermore, she taught those of us going to college some tricks you just can't learn in the books ... unless you had her book called Super Student, Happy Kid. I had one of the original versions of the book in "Red Hot Tips" format, but she eventually turned it into a real book. I bought one of the first copies off the press (I was in college by then) and when I was teaching high school English myself, I loaned it to a student who never gave it back. I hope it helped him succeed at Michigan State University.

But back to today ... this Saturday, Mrs. Ketchum is the featured writer at a book signing in Traverse City, Mich., at my original favorite bookstore, Horizon Books. Her new book is arriving in stores this week, Bread Garden. I first read about the book a few months ago, but now it's ready to be published.

November 8, Saturday from 1–2:30 p.m. — “Bread Garden.”

Sally Ketchum, winner of the 2007 San Francisco Writers’ Conference brings us her new book “Bread Garden.” Middle readers will be enthralled by the action as they work there way through important lessons in self-esteem, self-identity, environmental stewardship and cooking and gardening.


Oh, and back to my thesis, Mr. Wiltse, a great science teacher, inspired me to fight for my grade (even though grades are only part of the story) and fight for justice. Mrs. McGuire and Mrs. Ketchum (not to mention Ms. Oomen–Roberts, et. al.) inspired me to be the best writer and literary analist possible. I only hope that as a teacher, principal, superintendent, or whatever, I can inspire kids, teachers, and others to strive to be the best. Without people inspiring, pushing, motivating ... where would many of us be. It's a good day to say thanks!

Who inspired you today?