IB English III teacher Stephanie Spaete has entered her sixth year teaching at Coppell and 11th year teaching overall. Spaete uses her love of literature and analysis to spark a conversation among her students to grow and challenge their mindsets. This week, The Sidekick highlights Spaete as its’ Teacher of the Week. 

What inspired you to become a teacher? 

When I was younger, I used to babysit a lot. I just fell in love with kids. When I was in high school, I had this really passionate English teacher who changed my whole mindset on how to view the world, to analyze literature and  become a better person. That inspired me to follow my passion for literature and teaching in hopes of emulating the same ways of teaching. 

What motivates you when most of your students are distanced learners?

I think back to the spring semester when we were first in quarantine, and I had a connection with my students already in my mind; I still want that connection, especially because I know having also been at home myself how hard it is mentally, emotionally and physically. I approach each class with the idea that it’s my job to motivate them and get them excited because they may not have that from anyone else. 

What do you want your students to take away from your class?

I want them to truly explore the world and try and figure out who they are. A lot of what we do in IB English is reading literature about people’s lives, the mistakes they’ve made, the trials they’ve faced and how they overcame them. I really want to instill in my students there’s a whole journey out there for them; they’re gonna stumble and fall; they’re gonna rise, but just see where life takes them and find out who you truly are. 

Do you think teaching makes you a better person?

Teaching makes me a better person because I feed off my students. The energy of my students and the knowledge that they bring forth really excites me and makes me a better person. They make me want to research more and work harder because I see the excitement in them and that is what really drives me. 

What is your favorite teaching memory? 

There are a couple of things. Not many people know that I used to teach elementary [Central Elementary in Lewisville] when I had graduated from Texas Tech with Bachelor’s degree  [later went to Texas Woman’s to get her Master’s]. I taught in a very low-income area and the kids needed a lot of support. I taught first grade, and there was a little boy who had just gone through a tragedy with his parents who basically would not speak. By the end of the year, because of the relationship we built, he was passionately sharing his stories, and it was a beautiful moment for me. At Coppell High School, [it is] every time I see a student make that connection or realize that there is something bigger out there for them. 

What is your favorite book? 

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and I would recommend it because it’s a coming of age story. It’s basically the idea that you think you have a solid plan, but then once you begin your journey, you realize, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing’, and that’s OK. 

Follow Anette (@AnetteVarghese) and @CHSCampusNews on Twitter.