A meaningful education

There are many pressing issues I could address about the state of education today — ranging from systemic structures and pedagogical practices to the realities within my own school district, where I’ve been teaching for the past seven years, as well as the district where I live and vote.

But at the heart of it all is this: in my classroom, students engage deeply with literature — poetry, drama, novels, novellas, excerpts, and short stories — through a curriculum aligned with measurable, standards-based skills.

According to Colorado’s State Standards for 9th and 10th grade English, students must develop critical skills such as identifying themes, crafting thesis statements, integrating textual evidence, analyzing character development and symbolism, interpreting figurative language and authorial choices, and understanding cultural perspectives and point of view. They also learn to write using MLA format and build structural coherence in their writing.

Another essential skill is evaluating sources. Where students find their information matters. We teach them to recognize the difference between credible, peer-reviewed academic work and less reliable content. Using our Pikes Peak Library District’s excellent digital resources — accessible through student PowerPass library cards — they can explore academic databases like JSTOR and Gale. These tools give them access to scholarly materials grounded in rigorous research and critical thought.

This is also a powerful reminder of the value of our public libraries — funded by tax dollars and serving as vital community hubs. Libraries offer much more than books: tutoring, job search support, youth programs, book clubs, and digital resources are just a few of the many ways they support lifelong learning. Personally, I regularly check out up to 20 books physically and 20 books digitally. Reading is essential to growth, reflection, and understanding.

Strong writing skills benefit individuals in any career.

In my classroom, I guide students to set personal SMART goals in reading, writing, and career planning. They learn to assess their own strengths and challenges and build toward lives grounded in the core values our high school has upheld for 27 years: compassion, courage, integrity, perseverance, respect, and responsibility.

To that, I would add empathy — a difficult but crucial trait to develop. Empathy goes beyond compassion; it requires personal insight and a conscious response to others’ experiences. It ranks high on Bloom’s taxonomy and other depth-of-knowledge frameworks.

Fostering empathy through literature is challenging — especially with teenagers. But by exposing students to a broad range of global voices, diverse narratives, and cultural perspectives, we invite them to step beyond their own experiences and limitations.

It’s worth asking: how many adults are doing the same? Are you reading literature regularly — books that expand your perspective and help you grow in empathy, compassion, and understanding?

In our upcoming novel unit, students will begin with research — examining the historical and cultural context of the author’s life, exploring psychological themes, analyzing narrative reliability and irony, and investigating the cultural influences within the text. This foundational research enriches their reading, deepens thematic understanding, and builds critical connections between literature and the real world.

Ultimately, the more students can connect with others — through stories, histories, and voices beyond their own — the more they grow in empathy, awareness, and maturity. And that, I believe, is at the core of meaningful education.