English teacher finds inspiration in students
Printed in the Red ‘n’ Green (Wed June 2nd, 2010 Volume XLII, Issue IX)
A Berlin High School Student Open Forum Since 1924
by Amberlee Perry
English teacher finds inspiration in students
Inspiration can be discovered through many things. English teacher Margaret Guertler finds her inspiration through her students.
Students inspire Guertler with their talents, the challenges they overcome and what they make of themselves after high school.
In Guertler’s 44 years of teaching, certain students have had an impact on her career and in her life.
“I’ve had some really fabulous writers. My very first year of teaching I had a young woman who was a wonderful writer. This year, I have a freshman girl who writes amazing poetry,” said Guertler. “It just makes me realize how much talent there is in the world.”
The hardships students endure also inspire Guertler.
“I’ve had students who were kicked out of their homes and had to live in their cars!” said Guertler. “Some students just don’t have anything, but they still come to school everyday and do the best they can.”
Guertler has had students who have pursued a career in teaching.
“There are several people on staff who were students of mine,” Guertler said.
Guertler is thankful to one particular student, Jay Selthofner, a graduate of 1992, who taught her an essential skill.
“We were just entering the computer era and we recieved computers for each of the teachers,” said Selthofner said. “I taught her the daily basics of using a computer.”
Geurtler realizes how important a skill it was.
“I know a lot more now than I did then, but I wouldn’t have survived that particular period of time,” Guertler said.
In her years of teaching, Guertler has had many inspiring students I should be thinking of” Guertler said.
Although Guertler finds inspiration in her students, her students also find inspiration in her.
“I had a lot of respect for her,” said Selthofner. “She was one of the teachers that helped mold me into the person I am today.”
