My first impression of Mrs. Whithaus was a fiery, redheaded English nerd who has an obsession with some guy named Billy Joel. My second impression of Mrs. Whitehaus was that she was a quirky Billy Joel Superfan that assigned meaningless books. Why else would she have started off Honors English 10 with The Scarlet Letter? Many students, including myself, came to the consensus that the book is barely comprehensible and is written in an encrypted form of English. I was resentful, however, I read the book and took notes just because I wanted to get a good grade. 

As The Scarlet Letter unit progressed, something unexpected happened. I enjoyed going to class and enjoyed discussions. Mrs. Whitehaus resonated with her students. She knew in order to keep a bunch of rowdy teens interested in reading a book that was over 100 years old, she would have to make class interesting. She taught the book through unconventional, yet interesting and engaging methods. She had us participate in a mock trial which got us to think about the book in an analytical manner. We formed arguments, constructed rebuttals, and competed against our classmates to prove our characters were not sinful. I am confident I would not have learned as much from the book had it not been for the engaging and interesting learning environment. 

Mrs. Whitehouse was the only reason I took AP Lang the following year. Although I did not necessarily enjoy writing and I did not think English was my strong suit, Mrs. Whitehaus’ classroom was a fun environment I wanted to come back to. I became accustomed to her groovy mannerisms such as “using our ED” (educational device). I loved how she would make us fudge for Christmas and share with us videos of the extravagant light show she has at her house every holiday season for her neighbors and other passerbyers.  I learned what a jubilant, upbeat and creative woman she is all while learning to appreciate writing and reading. 

Mrs. Whitehouse spent hours grading syntheses, rhetorical analyses and argumentative essays—helping shape me into a better writer. Mrs. Whitehouse pours her all into her students. She is the type of woman who reaches out to and wants to keep up with her students. She cares to know where they will be going to college and what their plans are. 

After I did not do as well on the AP exam as I anticipated, Mrs. Whithause reached out to me. I know she cared and that she had confidence in me. She wanted to make sure my test had been graded fairly and that I had been given the credit I deserved for working so diligently in her class. Mrs. Whitehaus feels more like a friend to me than a teacher. 

Thank you, Mrs. Whitehaus, for acting as a genuinely positive person. I still think you portray yourself as a fiery, redhead, billy Joel fanatic; But, I also see you as a caring women and role model. I am blessed to have had you as my English teacher for two years at Arrowhead and for the impact you have had in my education and my life.