In most every other class, a quiet observer will witness a fair number of high schoolers with either their heads flat on their desks, or with the common back-pack pillow used to a full effect. The dormant creatures normally have drool emerging from their wide open mouths and a shiny, red sleep-mark on their foreheads when class ends. After a long night of homework (especially Data Sheet Eves) I am as guilty as the next guy for taking a little snooze in class. However, in AP English even the known sleepers refrain from any such actions due to the simple presence of the one and only Ms. Serensky. Which brings me to my next point: Where does the intimidation that she controls so eloquently, come from? Ask anyone who has ever met or even seen Ms. Serensky to describe her and I guarantee one characteristic would be “intimidating”. Although, for as long as I can remember (granted that time period may not impress many) she has never become visibly angry with a student for behavior problems, something I am unable to say about any other teacher in the school. Once again I pose the question, where does the intimidation come from? I do not fear her physical presence, like many would say about Mr. Perrine or even Ms. Beach. I do not fear a constant barrage of insults, which resembles the teaching style of Mr. Sweeney. However, there is not a teacher in the school who I fear more than Ms. Serensky. I am only able to draw this conclusion: she is the teacher students strive to impress the most as well as disappoint the least, and these two goals contain the fear of not succeeding. I believe this fear along with her intangibles that remain indescribable create the intimidating aura that hovers around her at all times.
John, what an honest and interesting post! I too have questioned the origin of Ms. Serensky's intimidation. I have come to believe that this intimidating atmosphere, we have a part in as well. I don’t think it is so much her, as it is the class itself. For instance, I cannot think of another period where we are forced to discuss a topic in such a cut throat manner. Also, in most classes, you have people to rely on. In some cases parents, maybe a friend to copy homework. In A.P. English, we are forced daily to act like individuals. You cannot possibly succeed in that class unless you do work. Furthermore, Ms. Serensky’s expectations and attitude are pretty constant. Some teachers are moody, some not serious however, Ms. Serensky has proven herself an intelligent woman who then expects us to be intelligent students.
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