In Indiana, and most states, “English” is the most comprehensive of all concentrations.  I do not have a speciality, yet I am expected to teach ALL THE THINGS.  In all other concentrations (math, social studies, science), teachers have on their license specific areas of speciality.  

My license allows me to teach grades 5-12.  I am a literature and writing teacher.  I do NOT know how to teach kids to read.  No high school teacher does unless he or she purposefully gets an endorsement for it.

With that in mind, here’s what I have taught:

• World Lit (anything not British or American)
• AP British Lit and Comp
• Public speaking
• Remediation (reading comprehension and writing; all grades)
• Creative Writing
• Shakespeare
• Composition for grades 9 and 10
• Tech theater (okay, this doesn’t count; it’s not English; but it is my life right now)

What I HAVE NOT taught, but IS out there:

• Genres of lit
• Themes in lit
• Classical lit
• Mythology
• American Lit

Think of the wide scope of literature that’s out there:  Novels, plays, essays, short stories, film, lyric poetry, form poetry, modern poetry.  Break it down by genders and cultures. Break it down by historical context.

English teachers are expected to know it it all, digest it all, and impart it to spongey little brains.

It’s insanity.  It’s the dumbest thing ever.  This concept of “English is English, Readin’s readin’” is what hurts our system.  Switch an English teacher here, there, everywhere, she’s flexible!  And there she is prepping another class.

An Algebra/Chemistry/Biology teacher never has that problem.  It’s on his or her license.  College professors don’t teach outside their content area.  British Romanticism is not American Romanticism.  

I don’t care if they both have the same word in the title.  

A good English ed program will give you a good smattering of American, British, and world lit.  Programs are SLOWLY coming around to giving teachers more education in teaching writing and research.  In 2005, my school had done nothing.  I brought my own research instincts to the classroom, not any taught methods.

People go into English programs because they “like to read” and imagine teaching is Dead Poets Society and we just TALK about the WORDS and FEEL FEELINGS.  Lies.  All lies.  In my MA program (which IS subject/genre/period specific), I’ve met undergrads who are CLUELESS, thinking they can find jobs in which they JUST teach literature, and they can bring their favorite books into the classroom, no probs.

And then I say, “Oh hunny….” and tell them everything I just told you.