This I Believe

As part of the Oklahoma State University’s Writing Project Advanced Summer Institute, teacher consultants crafted “This I Believe” essays inspired by the organization’s call for people to write and share essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. At a time when teachers’ values are being called into question, teachers have consented to share their essays to shape the public narrative on who teachers are and what they believe. If you wish to share yours, reach out to Sarah Donovan or write your essay (or poem) in the comment section below.

This I Believe

by Andrea Fruit

This I believe: I believe in the in-between moments. I believe in taking the moments in-between tasks, where some may still be finishing up, to acknowledge my students as individuals. This may be by adding my two cents to a story or scenario that they can tell by my face that I’ve just overheard, acknowledging something positive about the student that day, or by taking action to make their lives just a little bit easier. Be it further clarification on the task at hand, or a shout wipe.

The in-between is moments where your students and you have an opportunity to see one another through a little bit more of a unique lens. For me, this is standards met with friendly sarcasm, raffle tickets, and bandaids. Yes, bandaids. The entire back half of the top drawer of my desk is heaping with boxes of bandaids of every theme (even dinosaurs-a special request from an in-between moment).

In-between moments inspire all parts of what could happen in and to my classroom the next day, the next week or the near future. The rapport becomes a sort of democracy of votes placed during the in-between moments.

Andrea Fruit was born in Oklahoma City and grew up primarily in Houston, Texas and Yukon, Oklahoma, where she was very involved in competitive speech and debate, basketball, the Academic Team, student council, and National Honor Society. Ms. Fruit received her Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in secondary English education, and is currently working on her masters degree. She taught multiple grade levels for Mustang Public Schools and El Reno Public Schools and coached award-winning academic teams in both district and regional competitions prior to coming to ASTEC. In her time at ASTEC, Ms. Fruit has taught 10th grade English, 9-12th grade World Literature, 9-12th grade Executive Function, and 9-12th grade Teacher Cadet. She was the 2020-2021 High School Teacher of the Year, and is currently the Middle School and High school English Chair. Additionally, Ms. Fruit is High School Academic Team Coach, and works with the OSU-Pathways Writing Project. She has written and been awarded multiple Donors Choose grants, and collaborated with OSU to facilitate ASTEC’s Teacher Cadet program. Ms. Fruit enjoys family time, traveling, the outdoors, and of course reading and writing in her spare time