Julie Batten - Teachers Make a Difference - Dr. Corinne Demas Bliss

The speaker reflects on the impact of various people, especially students, on their learning journey. They highlight the significant influence of Professor Karen de Vos, a creative writing teacher at Mount Holyoke College, who inspired them to pursue writing. A memorable graduation day experience is recounted, where the professor encouraged the speaker to promise to become a writer. Despite feeling they broke this promise, the speaker is now working on a book of poetry and a novel, determined to fulfill their commitment.

Who does the narrator mention as having the most impact on their learning in the past decade?

• Their colleagues

• Their students

• Their family

• Their friends

What subject did Professor Karen de Vos teach the narrator?

• Science

• History

• Mathematics

• Creative Writing

What unexpected event occurred during the narrator's graduation ceremony?

• A fire alarm

• A power outage

• A downpour of rain

• A guest speaker cancellation

How did the narrator feel after the graduation ceremony?

• Alone and unacknowledged

• Confused and lost

• Angry and frustrated

• Excited and joyful

What promise did the narrator make to their professor?

• To become a teacher

• To write a novel

• To travel the world

• To be a writer

What is the narrator currently working on to fulfill their promise?

• A collection of essays

• A screenplay

• A book of poetry

• A biography

How far along is the narrator in completing their novel?

• Two-thirds finished

• Almost finished

• One-third finished

• Halfway finished