Students challenge teacher to show 'write' stuff
A book emerges at River Valley in the process
By Tim Gallagher Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, July 17, 2008
Margaret Witt, a teacher at River Valley High School, is shown in her Correctionville, Iowa, home with the three-ring binders that contain working copies of her books. "A Hero's Promise," her first novel, is being shopped to publishers. She began writing after a student challenged her to write in 2002. (Photo by Tim Gallagher)
CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- Margaret Witt handed out lots of Cs as the second semester advance composition class began at River Valley High School in 2002.
"The kids were having fits as it wasn't the As they were used to getting," she said.
One day a student looked at his paper, grumbled and challenged the teacher. "Why don't you write something?" he asked.
"It was nasty," said Witt.
The teacher kept the verbal volley in mind for several days. She realized this: She hadn't written in years. Didn't know if she could.
She did. And has. Witt began writing six years ago and hasn't stopped. Using students as editors, inspiration and character sources, the teacher penned one 216-page novel and has started a sequel. She keeps a copy of both working manuscripts on her desk, allowing them to be checked out by students in study hall.
"As kids read it, I told them to edit it," said Witt, an instructor in this district the past 18 years.
The story, called "A Hero's Promise," features a U.S. Navy SEAL who deals with postwar stress. He is surrounded by a network of friends, including his family, his community (a fictional town called Rend Lake, Iowa) and -- get this -- his past high school teacher.
The book, which begins at the high school prom, has a dash of romance, a little military action and lots of drama.
One publishing firm read "A Hero's Promise" and offered Witt a contract. She wouldn't sign.
"The company wanted to keep the rights to the book for seven years," said Witt, adding she was uncomfortable giving it up for that long. "And they weren't willing to meet me on several little things."
Without a pressing need to be published, Witt is sitting back offering her book to others. River Valley Superintendent of Schools Julie DeStigter has promised a book-signing at the school if "A Hero's Promise" is published. DeStigter wants an autographed copy, as do several teachers and students.
"If this book never gets published, it has done its job," said Witt. "Some kids who rarely or never read books have checked this out and analyzed it, edited it, critiqued it and shared it. They have also seen that teachers make mistakes."
Ultimately, this project has probably made Witt a better teacher (she's back teaching Spanish) and her students better readers and writers.
Witt walked to lunch one day last year and heard students criticizing a peer somewhat unfairly. She stopped and asked them to quit. "I thought I'd nip this behavior right now," she said.
Turns out those students were discussing a character in her book!
When school begins one month from tomorrow, Witt will carry her three-ring binders back to the classroom. She'll place the clipboard on her desk, inviting a new generation of readers to check out her books and offer feedback in the margins, just as their older siblings did in 2002.
The teacher-turned-author who was challenged to write long ago will examine those comments as she continues to refine her stories.
What has she learned?
"I have learned you keep writing," she said. "That's how you get better."
"The kids were having fits as it wasn't the As they were used to getting," she said.
One day a student looked at his paper, grumbled and challenged the teacher. "Why don't you write something?" he asked.
"It was nasty," said Witt.
The teacher kept the verbal volley in mind for several days. She realized this: She hadn't written in years. Didn't know if she could.
She did. And has. Witt began writing six years ago and hasn't stopped. Using students as editors, inspiration and character sources, the teacher penned one 216-page novel and has started a sequel. She keeps a copy of both working manuscripts on her desk, allowing them to be checked out by students in study hall.
"As kids read it, I told them to edit it," said Witt, an instructor in this district the past 18 years.
The story, called "A Hero's Promise," features a U.S. Navy SEAL who deals with postwar stress. He is surrounded by a network of friends, including his family, his community (a fictional town called Rend Lake, Iowa) and -- get this -- his past high school teacher.
The book, which begins at the high school prom, has a dash of romance, a little military action and lots of drama.
One publishing firm read "A Hero's Promise" and offered Witt a contract. She wouldn't sign.
"The company wanted to keep the rights to the book for seven years," said Witt, adding she was uncomfortable giving it up for that long. "And they weren't willing to meet me on several little things."
Without a pressing need to be published, Witt is sitting back offering her book to others. River Valley Superintendent of Schools Julie DeStigter has promised a book-signing at the school if "A Hero's Promise" is published. DeStigter wants an autographed copy, as do several teachers and students.
"If this book never gets published, it has done its job," said Witt. "Some kids who rarely or never read books have checked this out and analyzed it, edited it, critiqued it and shared it. They have also seen that teachers make mistakes."
Ultimately, this project has probably made Witt a better teacher (she's back teaching Spanish) and her students better readers and writers.
Witt walked to lunch one day last year and heard students criticizing a peer somewhat unfairly. She stopped and asked them to quit. "I thought I'd nip this behavior right now," she said.
Turns out those students were discussing a character in her book!
When school begins one month from tomorrow, Witt will carry her three-ring binders back to the classroom. She'll place the clipboard on her desk, inviting a new generation of readers to check out her books and offer feedback in the margins, just as their older siblings did in 2002.
The teacher-turned-author who was challenged to write long ago will examine those comments as she continues to refine her stories.
What has she learned?
"I have learned you keep writing," she said. "That's how you get better."
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