Become a Titan of Literature with Mrs. Wyatt!
In honor of Teacher Appreciation week this month, I decided to interview my fabulous AP English Literature and Composition teacher, Mrs. Wyatt, to express my utmost gratitude for the wonderful classes, tips, resources, and advice she generously provides for students, ensuring our success in such rigorous courses.
Mrs. Wyatt holds, "bachelor's degrees in Music, English and Secondary Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University." Her, "teaching career consists of ten years in the brick and mortar setting, two years with another K12 virtual academy based in Colorado and this will be [her] fourth school year with K12 International Academy."
She is, "originally from Hacienda Heights, California but [has] lived in Olathe, Kansas; Denver, Colorado; and now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, just south of Nashville." On the topic of family, she mentions, "we have three girls: a fourteen year-old…and twin eight year-olds." She enjoys, "traveling with [her] family, reading, running, cycling, practicing Pilates and watching [her] girls play soccer or compete in gymnastics." She, "really enjoys living in Tennessee and appreciates all the fantastic local music as well as the southern-style home-cooking and family-friendly lifestyle" she discovered in her current home state.
Reeling back to before I decided to take AP English, frankly, I was somewhat…flabbergasted. I perused the curriculum, reading materials, expectations, work load, and so on, and truly doubted it could be a possible feat. How could I, a student from a household where English is not my mother’s tongue, but rather the third language, possibly make it through such an intensive course, full of analysis of some of the most archaic, to modernist writing styles? Clearly, my worries and prayers were answered when I found out Mrs. Wyatt, who had taught my Literature Analysis and Composition II class in freshman year would be in charge of guiding me, and plenty other curious learners, through these challenging, college-level classes. Mrs. Wyatt has the power and familiarity to take a task so daunting, and break it down into sensible milestones, that both push for growth out of a comfort zone, while also creating a buffer from outright failure.
Simply put, she has her strong expectations, as teachers should have, and they are fully justified because she provides all the tools any student could possibly need. If you ever had the privilege to have her as a teacher, you would likely agree what is most astounding is her extent of knowledge on so much literature, history, old and modern culture, and – most important to students who want to analyze the importance of all these facets – her métier in connecting all these abstract and concrete concepts into ideas that make sense.
Clearly, I have enthused over my gratefulness for Mrs. Wyatt – and the sentiment extends to all our school’s fantastic teachers. With her expertise and interest in student success abound, I desired to illuminate this for our school community to know: you have the opportunity to benefit just as much!
I initiated my questions on our topic by asking what “type” of students should think of taking an AP English class; she exclaimed, “Many students should consider taking AP English classes!” Upon elaboration, “First, students who have met the K12 International Academy requirements should look into AP courses. Second, students who are highly motivated, can follow the course calendar closely, and want to take a college-level course to better prepare for the AP exam and college-level writing expectations should consider taking an AP English course.”
Considering our school offers a couple different AP English classes, I wondered how we should prioritize these classes, and how they can be differentiated in layman’s terms. Mrs. Wyatt encourages, “any interested students to take AP English Language and Composition first.” She specified, “This provides essential practice of college-level writing and rhetorical analysis,” emphasizing, “students who begin with AP English Language will transition well into AP English Literature and Composition as AP Literature builds upon what students have learned in AP Language.” Ultimately, “both courses employ extensive reading and writing; however, AP Language focuses on brief, interesting, non-fiction pieces, whereas AP Literature students read longer novels, plays, and works of poetry.
On the details of curriculum and expectations, Mrs. Wyatt admits, “Ask any AP English students about the coursework and they will undoubtedly say it is a heavy workload. This is because students write 2-3 practice essays in each unit, in addition to taking a unit exam that is similar – although much shorter – in format to the AP English exams. AP English courses are challenging!” Nevertheless, Mrs. Wyatt countered this plausible factor of intimidation – workload – by reiterating what students gain from these classes; “most will say they were prepared for college-level writing expectations. Students also have the opportunity to take the AP exam in May and earn college credits based on their AP Exam scores. This is a bonus!” Indeed, it is, and if your institution of interest doesn’t offer credit, they may use your scores or class performance as placement markers.
She concluded by reinforcing student confidence, and advising “students who are interested in AP English to speak with their current English teacher to find out if they are ready for an AP English course.” Students can also talk to Mrs. Wyatt, herself, or one of our own iGlobe Advisors, Mrs. Hartmann, for, “more information on AP English courses and prerequisites”!
Thank you so much to Mrs. Wyatt for her interest in this interview, and an even larger thank you to her as one of our school’s remarkably valuable teachers! And, for any of you iGlobers reading this who are interested in taking AP English classes, I hope this managed to be enlightening and reassuring in your pursuits!
P.S. Be sure to thank a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week, and whenever else!!