In the introduction to his most recent book, A Swim in the Pond in the Rain, critically acclaimed short story writer, George Saunders, posits that otherwise “quiet, domestic, and apolitical” works of fiction—nineteenth century Russian short stories, in his case—might actually serve as a form of resistance literature, “written by progressive reformers,” Saunders suggests, “in a repressive culture, under constant threat of censorship, in a time when the writer’s politics could lead to exile, imprisonment, and execution.” There’s an all-too strange familiarity there, I think…
Maybe as a subtle act of resistance of my own, my preservice English teachers and I read A Swim in the Pond in the Rain in my upper-level literature methods class. Given that the subtitle of the book reads, “in which four Russians give a master class on writing, reading, and life,” I’ve found that the collection of stories and essays makes for a welcome, albeit an admittedly unconventional addition to an English teacher education curriculum.
Before my students and I begin reading the Russian stories and Saunders’s commentary—both are beautiful; seriously, check it out!—I preview our journey by suggesting that, as we read, we pay particular attention to how Saunders describes writers and writing, noting that if we, as readers, replace these words with “teachers” and “teaching,” we may start making our own meanings in the parallels between how Saunders frames reading/writing, and how we position ourselves as teachers/learners. And especially given that Saunders frames these seemingly mundane and lifeless, antiquated stories as resistance literature, my students and I quickly start considering how our roles as English teachers—ya know, the quiet, domestic, inherently apolitical teachers we’re supposed to be—might serve productively disruptive and deeply humane ends. Saunders continues in his introduction by opining that:
The resistance in the stories (the teaching, my addition) is quiet, at a slant, and comes from perhaps the most radical idea of all: that every human being is worthy of attention and that the origins of every good and evil capability of the universe may be found by observing a single, even very humble, person and the turnings of his or her mind.
We underline and nod in agreement. We see ourselves and our students in these lines. And so, this month, as a means of drawing attention to a few worthy human beings, and in the spirit of expressing gratitude—which, I’ve personally found, can do wonders for mental health—I wanted to take a moment to resist the burgeoning frigidness of the season and the prevailing numbness of our Covid moment to share my undying thanks for (and with) the members of the 2021-2022 ICTE Executive Board.
To our Secretary, Theresa Wampler: Thank you for your unceasing attention to detail, your steadfast professionalism, and your overall commitment to this organization. Thank you for the meeting agendas, the Zoom links, the insights, the jokes, and for sitting in the dark when the motion-activated lights go out in your room. (And thanks for flailing your arms to turn them back on; it never gets old!) Thank you for teaching our kids and for all of your guidance and mentorship over these last few years.
To our Vice President, Kat Higgs-Coulthard: Thanks, Kat, for your courage and curiosity, your creativity and your strength. Thank you for your constant and admirable deliberation and restraint and your ability to anticipate and navigate blindly. Thanks for trying new things and for encouraging us all to experiment. I’ve truly loved working with you this year, and I’m excited to pass on the torch next Spring. I promise I won’t drop it! ICTE’s in good hands with you!
To our Wonderful Newsletter Creator, Jennifer Swisher-Carroll: Jen! We couldn’t do this without you! The fact that anyone’s even reading this is a direct reflection of you and your efforts. You deserve every award that NCTE has granted you, and it’s been beyond a pleasure working with you this year as we continue building and growing and learning together. Thank you, just so much, for your time and support. You are our voice, you set our vision; we only hear and see because of you.
To our Undergraduate Representative, Whitney Shelton: In your first year, Whit, you’ve indeed molded shoes that we all agree will be tough to fill. Thank you for juggling your classes, your life, your student teaching, and your multifaceted roles with ICTE with characteristic poise, precision, and humility (I’d say “pride,” in keeping with the alliteration, but you’re nothing if not fiercely humble…but hopefully you’re also kinda proud, at least...) Thank you for the tweets, the posts, the emails, and the collaboration with preservice teachers around the state—we look forward to your event in February!
To our Executive Treasurers, Corinne Gries and Chris Judson: Thank you both so much for not missing a single step as you each transitioned into this complex and largely behind-the-scenes role! You each have brought unique and tremendously valuable contributions to this organization: Chris, with your wisdom and perspective, your vast experience and your sophisticated diplomacy. Thank you for bringing in such an amazing speaker for our October Event, and thank you for continuing to advocate for teachers and students around Indiana. Corinne, thank you for your unflinching grace and kindness, your willingness to share opinions and offer suggestions, and your really cool ability to synthesize ideas and bridge connections where connections don’t readily appear. You both have added such value to ICTE, and while the shoes you sought to fill were larger than I think anyone in Indiana can ever know—thank you, Terri Suico!—you each have risen to the occasion with gusto and pluck. Thank you, both!
To our Past President, Mike Macaluso: Mike, none of this would be possible had you not laid such a solid foundation over the last several years. Your efforts to recruit and connect continue to reverberate throughout the organization; you gave ICTE a visibility and a legitimacy that allows us now to continue striding in your footsteps. Thank you, again, for everything you brought to this Board during your tenure, and thank you for your continued guidance and support as we remain committed to seeing ICTE through our present worldly struggles. None of this would have happened without you.
To our Members: We’re only here to serve you. Thank you for your work and your passions. Thank you for sharing yourselves with our kids. Thank you for resisting the urge to Not. Thank you for being Over It but still going in, once more, unto the breach of this life. Thank you for it all. Thank you for swimming, still. We’re honored to help you keep doing so.