What’s your name, major and hometown?
Claire Stanley, Political Science major, Royal Oak, MI
What would be the most useful thing for me to know about you as a student?
As an introvert, it can be hard to me to participate in class discussions, not because I don’t have anything to say, but often because I get so tied up in my own thought I have trouble separating them and sharing them. Just because I’m not talking doesn’t mean I’m not being lazy or uninvolved- I’m just trying to find the right words to phrase everything.
What do you wish was different about school?
I wish that there was no weird silence between the teacher asking, “Who’s first?” when all of the kids that stare around at each other only to wait for that one student reluctantly raising their hand. It always feels so judgemental.
Describe a moment in school last year when you felt really engaged. Why do you think that moment was such a positive one for you?
After our AP Lit exam, we did a hands-on activity that really connected all the themes, ideologies, and lessons we’d discussed throughout the course of the year with all the books we read. Being able to see everyone connect things that seemed so far apart with a simple phrase or object really amazed me in how much deeper all of our learning went.
What do you think teachers think about you, and what do you wish they’d think about you?
In high school, most of my teachers saw me as the typical AP student that worked too hard and did too much extra work for an above-average GPA and a decent chance to get into some good colleges. I wish I hadn’t been grouped alongside my other classmates like that, because I like to learn in different ways than them- I wish my teachers had seen how much I valued messing up or doing something wrong, because it was my best way of learning something new, and I didn’t see any of my teachers observing that when I was in their classrooms.
Tell me about a teacher who you feel knew you well. What kind of student were you in his or her class? What did he or she do to get to know you?
Not only did I have this teacher for 10th grade English, I also later became a member of the school publication, for which she was an advisor. As I joined the editorial staff, I not only became a better writer with this teacher, but she also taught me how to open up to others, inside and outside of the classroom, and become more connected with my writing. She got to know me by simply being honest and trustworthy, and we were able to talk about anything that was on our minds, which was beyond what I thought any high school teacher could ever help me do.
If you could build a school, what would it look like?
Open space: with windows that don’t lock and blinds that don’t have to stay shut, without tiny desks that no one finds comfortable, where students don’t feel so restricted or confined by their environment, where they can have more freedom to connect their ideas and what they learned to their society
What do you wish I would ask you so that I can be a good teacher for you?
I read this online somewhere and have been thinking about throughout this first week of classes- instead of asking “Any questions?”, when you ask, “What questions do you have?” students become a lot more involved in discussion and realize they can answer a lot more than they thought throughout the conversation.
What makes a weekend day great for you?
A nap
What’s the best thing you’ve experienced on campus so far?
Having the opportunity to explore the library during breaks between my classes. Studying there really helps me stay organized and focused between my morning and afternoon.
What is your favorite song right now and why?
Hooked On A Feeling is probably one of the only songs that can make me feel better any time I’m going into anything with a bad mindset, so I always like to keep that song in my recents. (shameless plug: check me out on spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/claireestanley?si=B-h9nss5R9eiaimeI_8OKw for what i’m listening to every month)
Finally, include a photo of yourself in your Medium post so I can start putting faces to names.

Anything else to add?
I’m really excited for this semester to start up! I hope it all goes as well as the first week has been going!! :-)
