Rita Teague
Instructor, Southfield High School
This is my family. I am the one in the middle, the glue that holds all the other ingredients together. I'm also the shortest. You know, "Good things come in small packages." And as my mother would say, "Little piece of leather well put together." Well, this little piece of leather works real hard at everything she does. I work hard at school, at church, in the organizations I am a member of, and I work hard as a mother, wife, and daughter.
I work hard at school in the classroom, as sponsor of the Class of 1997, and as a sponsor of the National Honor Society. I was recently appointed co-chair of the English department, so I just threw that hat on top of the already teetering pile. I teach because I love working with children and young adults. I enjoy talking with them, reading with them, discovering with them, writing with them, and just all around learning with them. I teach English because I have always found joy in the written word. I admire the words, the phrases, and the pictures painted by the words. I'm easy to please; a good book and a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and I'm set for the evening. I want to share that joy and spread it to as many children as I can. The classroom is not always the best place to do this, but I sure do try.
At church I have taught Vacation Bible School, I have been a caregiver for a group of 30 women and I have facilitated small discussion groups of women with a focus on marriage. Wow, that was interesing!
I belong to two organizations. Jack and Jill, the first organization, has children as its focus. I am presently in charge of a skit that will be presented at a convention of about 650 teens in Minneapolis in late June. Talk about a good time! I am also going to be one of the chaperones for the 35 teens going from Oakland County, Michigan. Don't you envy me? The other organization, The Links, is a community service group of women. I am on the committee for service to youth. We do all kinds of things or provide a variety of experiences for a seventh grade class at a middle school in Pontiac, Michigan. See, no matter what I'm involved in, children seem to be the focus.
My favorite times are spent with my family. My hushand, Merv, and my children--Justin, 18, and Erin, 15--are the highlights of my life. We do many things together, including the movies and dinner. Now, sometimes finding a movie all of us agree on is a chore, but we manage. I'm just proud my teenagers don't mind being seen with me in public!
I am so pleased and proud to be a part of "Making American Literatures." It will be challenging, exciting, and a real learning experience.
Email: RTeague378@aol.com
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