Page 35 - Priorities 65

Alumna Katrina Jim says, “I remember telling her broadly about what topic I was interested in, and she would help me brainstorm more specific topics to write about, and that helped direct me. My impression of her was that she was very knowledgeable and would like to see her students succeed.” Fellow alumna Amanda Lee agrees that the process was helpful and adds, “At first it was a little intimidating because I had a completely wrong idea for formatting, so I thought I was doomed after my first appointment with her. However, my sec- ond draft went very well, and she complimented me on my imagery and writing, which is something out of the ordinary for me. It gave me confidence in my writing, and I thank her for that.” The college application pro- cess is stressful enough, but having Sue Koppett as their coach helps students navigate the hazards.
History department chair Damian Cohen takes a broader perspective. “When it comes to applications, she aims to teach students to tell their story without bragging. That can be challenging for some. Some ar- en’t used to talking about themselves at all, and some aren’t used to being told they need to scale back their self-esteem.” What Sue says to students is, “We never brag, we just sneak it in.”
Writing that personal statement is much more than just ticking something off an application list; it’s about expressing one’s unique experience, teasing out the kernels of truth. Alumna Shivani Dayal comments, “I think by the time I was a senior I understood her advice and she really helped push me to make these essays unique rather than cliché, which is hard to do for these standardized essays!” Sue sums up her belief by say- ing, “Going over each sentence individually apparently develops individual style. Teaching phrasing, eliminat- ing certain clichés, and using strong verbs is essential to create an individualized paper.”
Besides the writing skills, though, Sue believes that “Reading has everything to do with writing. You don’t have the language in your ear if you don’t read.”
Sue Koppett has continued showing up at the Pri- ory and working well beyond the years when most people are already sitting on their porches and en- joying retirement. Each week throughout the fall and winter months, she has a long list of student names scrawled on her appointment sheet, then meets with them in the Academic Resource Center for advising and revising. Students may walk out with an essay draft with a long fix-it list, yet they keep coming back or even call her at all hours with one more question
that needs an answer. Shivani Dayal recalls, “One time I was about to leave for Christmas break to go to India, but I needed to finish editing one last college essay. So I remember sitting on my bedroom floor with my computer in my lap and suitcase on my bed, talking to Mrs. Koppett on the phone at 8 o’clock at night. Her dedication to me as a student was amazing.”
“The kids feel her investment in their ability to
write,” notes Brian Schlaak. “She makes the kids work
hard to do well. She spends a lot of time outside of the
work day working with them.” In fact, one of Sue’s
best-known compliments is “hot shot.” “I always re-
member her calling me ‘hot shot,’” recalls alumna Joan
Ratliff. Brian Schlaak smiles when he says that this is
Sue’s nickname for him as well. 35
It’s clearly about hard work, and time, and growth, and not taking the slacker path. “She doesn’t tolerate lack of effort when it comes to revision,” states Damian Cohen, who admires her consistent messaging to students.
“It’s not just about writing a good essay,” clari- fies Sue, “but I care about students and want to see them be successful.”
Though alumnus James Cox remembers feeling like Sue had peppered his papers with numerous comments, he quickly adds that “the seemingly insur- mountable standard she held us to made her praise feel like a real and earned achievement.” Pete Trudelle recalls his own experience in writing lab class. “When a classmate turned in a rush job paper,” Pete recounts, Mrs. Koppett would expect him or her to go back and do more revisions. “That may not sound positive, but she demanded our very best and taught us to write better papers.” Paul Trudelle agrees. He saw all six of his children grow and thrive in Mrs. Koppett’s ninth grade Writing Lab. They also warned that if Mrs. Kop- pett says you need to do more revising, “that means she cares about helping you improve!”
Hard work, high standards, and real effort are the keys to success in Sue Koppett’s world. Alumnus Mark Ruiz agrees that Sue’s standards “were indeed rigorous but they prepared me for college and beyond.” Mark’s mother Kathleen Ruiz adds, “She’s our family’s favorite teacher of all time!” James Cox declares of Sue Koppett, “Every teacher that taught me thereafter was measured by her.”
25TH ANNIVERSARY