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The Measure of a Great Teacher
“Anyone who is extraor- dinary in a certain field is that way for a reason. Those people didn’t fall
34 intoitordoitforthe money, but because they have a passion for it and the ability to do it well.” David Koppett is de- scribing his mother, En- glish teacher and writ- ing coach Sue Koppett, who celebrates 25 years tenure at the Priory this year. Sue explains, “The best teachers that I knew had high standards.” After earning her bach-
elor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence and her gradu- ate degree in English literature from Columbia, Sue spent time working as a writer. “I wrote a lot of book reviews for newspapers plus grant proposals and po- sition papers for the American Jewish Committee,” she recalls, “and also edited a college textbook.” She taught English at Hofstra University for six years, and then developed a writing program called “How to Become an Effective Writer” that she brought to Bay Area schools like Harker Academy and Hoover. Because she was raising her children David and Kathy at this time, she didn’t want to work full-time. When Sue saw that the Woodside Priory School was hiring a teacher for one English class, she was happy to take the job.
Within a couple years, Sue and the administration agreed that her writing program would be a good fit for Priory students’ needs, and for years afterward it was required for all incoming freshmen. Students studied grammar, punctuation, and writing under the microscope of Mrs. Koppett’s gaze, and met with her
one-on-one for writing confer- ences as well. “To say she in- timidated me and my peers would be an understatement,” recalls alumnus James Cox.
“Intimidating people never know they’re intimidat- ing, so I’m not the best judge of that comment,” laughs Sue. “But if you’re not rigorous in your standards, then you’re not teaching in a valuable way. I love my students and never meant to intimidate anybody.”
Persuasive essays, poetry explications, literary analysis, and a raft of stylistic devices
marched from student pens or laptops and across Mrs. Koppett’s desk. Alumna Chrissa Trudelle explains, “She always told us the truth about our writing. For many students this was hard to hear, but at the end of the semester when she complimented our writing, we knew it was genuine.” Though some students at first didn’t see the value in taking the course, Chrissa says, “I’m thankful the Priory gave us such a strong writing foundation with Mrs. Koppett in our freshman year.” Academic Dean Brian Schlaak adds his own sto- ry. “I went to an alumni dinner back East and met a bunch of our alums there. They said, ‘I hated Writing Lab,’ and I said I was going to dump the class. To a person they all yelled, ‘No!’ They were still using the stuff they had learned from Sue Koppett in their fan- cy schools.” Though their expectations are high, the people who push us to reach our highest potential are often the ones we respect—and thank—the most.
When she retired from teaching Writing Lab, Sue Koppett switched gears to focus on guiding students through their college application personal statements.
by Kathleen Gonzalez
25TH ANNIVERSARY