by Mary Jo David

When 10th- and 12th-grade English teacher Rita Stricklin starts telling you about her own high school years, her love for all things “English” comes up immediately. But give it a minute, and you learn she loved everything gym-related as well … and history, did I mention she loved history? Oh, and let’s not forget, she was in the band for four years, and on Student Council!

In other words, says Stricklin, “I did all the things! I just love to learn; if I could have spent more time in school, I would have!”

So who does she credit for her own enthusiasm for learning?

“Like most teachers, I had great teachers,” Stricklin recalled. “My high school English teachers were the coolest people on the planet to me; they made it really fun. I figured, if I could be that for future generations, that’s what I wanted to do.”

Admittedly, Stricklin knows that English isn’t everyone’s bag. But an important part of her job is to reach out to those sophomores and seniors who would rather be doing something else than sitting through English class. She tries to impress upon those students that you don’t have to love reading and writing, but you need to understand these are critical skills.

“I lay it out for them in very realistic terms. You may not have to know how to write a literary analysis when you leave school, but you do need to know how to organize your thoughts to effectively communicate your ideas,” Stricklin said. And she believes effective communication is going to make their lives a lot easier—at home, at work, and socially.

Stricklin grew up in Kalamazoo County. She went to Parchment High School, which is, coincidentally, home to another group of Panthers! She has played the drums since elementary school. Her dad was a drummer who was in more than a few “dad bands,” so she spent a lot of time at basement band practices with him. This might explain her music preferences, which range from pop-punk Fall Out Boy to the more hard rock Led Zeppelin!

After attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College, she graduated from Western Michigan University where she double majored in English Education and Africana Studies. Later, she received her master’s degree in English from the University of Akron and spent some time as an adjunct instructor at Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio.

One of her favorite college memories and an experience she believes helped her develop into a better teacher, was the six months she spent in Cape Town, South Africa, tutoring students there. The experience opened her eyes to the needs of all students, even those in extreme poverty.

So, how did Stockbridge become lucky enough to gain such a well-rounded teacher as Rita Stricklin?

After a few years in Ohio, Stricklin and her husband, Eric, realized they really wanted to come back to Michigan to be closer to family. Eric’s job as pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea afforded them the opportunity to move. Eric happened to be coaching football in Stockbridge when he heard about an English teacher position opening up, and—voilà—Rita Stricklin got the job! She, Eric, and their two children, 4-year-old Ella and 19-month-old Levi, live in nearby Chelsea.

In the classroom, Stricklin likes to promote an atmosphere of camaraderie and reflection. She points out that high schoolers like those in her classes are often dismissed by adults as “kids these days…” But she doesn’t shortchange these kids.

“They are so insightful, and they have great ideas. They just need the atmosphere for exploring them,” she insists.

Stricklin loves when a student tells her they used a skill in some other class that they learned in her class, or when something they learned in English helped them answer a “Jeopardy!” question correctly (yes—that’s happened a handful of times!).

She once had a student tell her that a test she gave was the “perfect amount of hard,” and she appreciated hearing that this student felt challenged but knew they could do it if they pushed through it.

To the parents of Stockbridge students, Stricklin says, “Make sure they’re reading. Read with them, even if they’re high school students. Reading is one of the biggest indicators of future success. And encourage them to take breaks from their technology.”

One of the highlights of her teaching career is when the Class of 2023 asked her to speak at their graduation.

She said, “It was such an honor to know that they felt I would best represent them, and it was confirmation of the fact that our relationships were more than just what I could teach them academically, they also appreciated what I could teach them about life.”

Spring is Stricklin’s favorite time of year in the classroom—and not just because summer vacation is close! Every year she looks forward to the senior portfolio project, an infamous project in Stockbridge.

“These are hyper individualized projects, so I get to see how each student reflects on their four years of high school,” said Stricklin. “I see them as the humans they are—the wins, the struggles, all of it! I can’t wait!”

For those seniors going on to college, she highly recommends they “Go to class; don’t skip out, even if it’s an 8 a.m. class.”

To all students, she says, “In life, don’t be afraid to try something new. It’s never too late to change your mind. And, remember to drink more water!”

All photos provided by Rita Stricklin.