Teacher Spotlight: Janette Grimshaw’s Journey to Promote Literacy at Independence High

August 20th, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
Independence High, News, Schools, Secondary Schools, Teaching and Learning

For uninitiated onlookers, teaching might seem like delivering lessons, grading papers, and clocking out. The reality is that effective units progressively build each lesson on a skill-based core curriculum, accommodating diverse needs, fostering autonomy, and balancing thoroughness with engagement and simplicity—all with steady-handed and unwavering dedication.

Our district, luckily, has many steady-handed and caring individuals.

Janette Grimshaw, Independence High School English Teacher, is one such steadfast teacher. She teaches some of our most underprivileged students, taking on the impossible task of taking on today’s high school students—many of whom have zero interest or experience reading and finishing complete novels, let alone essays with academic language or challenging non-fiction—and fosters lifelong readers.

We spoke with Janette in a brief interview about how she seeds a love for reading, the trials and triumphs that come with classroom preparation, and what she hopes students take away from her classroom. Read the interview below. And, as always, thank you, Janette, for being an innovator, companion, and caretaker for our many students.

What is your approach to the start of the school year? Where do you start?

As an English teacher, one of my biggest goals is to get students into reading—so many students never read. Ever. So, I plan activities to get students interested. For example, we’re doing a book-passing activity today. I’ve got several books in several bins on different genres and topics. Today, they’ll walk around the room and explore other books to get them thinking about the stories they’re interested in.

(Aside: a book-passing activity differentiates by product and learning environment to better fit all students and their preferred styles of learning. That means students visit work zones where they can choose from various books that match their interests and reading levels. Differentiation in this context allows students to explore books that match their interests and reading levels, making the experience more engaging and personalized. (It’s about ensuring every student can connect with material that resonates with them, fostering a love for reading.)

What’s the hardest part about preparing lessons?

It depends on the year. This year, we’re facing a new curriculum. I teach ESL and English, and both have new curricula, so I’ve had to think about how to incorporate new curricula. There’s also a new approval process for books because of this sensitive materials law, so every book, poem, and scrap of reading requires approval.

Is there a unit or lesson you look forward to throughout the year?

Yes. There’s a unit centered around a book called Tears of a Tiger. Kids have enjoyed it in the past. It deals with some good social issues—depression, mental health, coping with grief if a friend dies—it’s a great unit with a core theme, “How do we deal with adversity?” Many students here at Independence have dealt with adversity, and it tends to be a unit students engage and connect with.

(Aside: This unit incorporates social and emotional learning beyond traditional English lessons. Through role-based activities and discussions, students analyze the text and explore their own emotions and experiences, fostering empathy and resilience as they relate to the characters and their struggles.)

What do you love most about teaching?

I love it when a lightbulb goes off in the kids’ eyes. Even if it’s just a grammar rule or concept, a kid bursts out, “Oh! I get it now!” That’s cool! Or when a kid finally finds a book they like. They won’t admit it, but you’ll watch their behavior. They’re pulling the book outside of assigned reading time. It’s cool.

What do you hope students take away from your class?

Of course, we want them to learn state core, but I mainly care that they realize reading and writing are enjoyable. I hope they keep writing throughout life and take writing and reading as lifelong skills.