(ROOT (S (PP (IN In) (NP (CD 1974))) (, ,) (PP (IN after) (S (VP (VP (VBG filling) (PRT (RP out)) (NP (CD fifty) (NNS applications))) (, ,) (VP (VBG going) (PP (IN through) (NP (CD four) (NNS interviews)))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VBG winning) (NP (CD one) (NN offer)))))) (, ,) (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD took) (NP (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (MD could) (VP (VB get))))) (, --) (, --) (, -) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN teaching) (NN job)) (PP (IN at) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD considered) (S (NP (NP (DT a) (JJ distant) (JJ wild) (NN area)) (: :) (NP (JJ western) (NNP New) (NNP Jersey))))))))))) (. .)))
In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get---- - a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey.
case
in
In
ADP
IN
obl
NumForm=Digit|NumType=Card
1974
1974
NUM
CD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
after
after
SCONJ
IN
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
fill
filling
VERB
VBG
compound:prt
out
out
ADP
RP
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
fifty
fifty
NUM
CD
obj
Number=Plur
application
applications
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
go
going
VERB
VBG
case
through
through
ADP
IN
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
four
four
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Plur
interview
interviews
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Ger
win
winning
VERB
VBG
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
one
one
NUM
CD
obj
Number=Sing
offer
offer
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
take
took
VERB
VBD
obj
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
could
could
AUX
MD
acl:relcl
VerbForm=Inf
get
get
VERB
VB
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
-
-
PUNCT
,
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
compound
Number=Sing
teaching
teaching
NOUN
NN
parataxis
Number=Sing
job
job
NOUN
NN
case
at
at
ADP
IN
nmod
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
consider
considered
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
distant
distant
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
wild
wild
ADJ
JJ
xcomp
Number=Sing
area
area
NOUN
NN
punct
:
:
PUNCT
:
amod
Degree=Pos
western
western
ADJ
JJ
appos
Degree=Pos
New
New
ADJ
NNP
flat
Number=Sing
Jersey
Jersey
PROPN
NNP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP$ My) (JJ characteristic) (NN optimism)) (VP (VBD was) (ADJP (JJ alive)) (SBAR (WHADVP (RB only) (WRB when)) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD reminded) (NP (PRP myself)) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (MD would) (VP (VB be) (VP (VP (VBG doing) (SBAR (WHNP (WP what)) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN wanted) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB do)))) (SBAR (IN since) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (CD fourteen)))))))))) (, --) (, --) (VP (, --) (HYPH -) (VP (VBG teaching) (NP (NNP English))))))))))))) (. .)))
My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen------- teaching English.
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
My
PRON
PRP$
amod
Degree=Pos
characteristic
characteristic
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
optimism
optimism
NOUN
NN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
root
Degree=Pos
alive
alive
ADJ
JJ
advmod
only
only
ADV
RB
advmod
PronType=Int
when
when
ADV
WRB
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
remind
reminded
VERB
VBD
iobj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes
myself
myself
PRON
PRP
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
would
would
AUX
MD
aux
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
ccomp
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
do
doing
VERB
VBG
obj
PronType=Rel
what
what
PRON
WP
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
AUX
VBD
acl:relcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
want
wanted
VERB
VBN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
do
do
VERB
VB
mark
since
since
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
advcl
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
fourteen
fourteen
NUM
CD
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
-
-
PUNCT
HYPH
parataxis
VerbForm=Ger
teach
teaching
VERB
VBG
obj
Number=Sing
English
English
PROPN
NNP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (S (NP (NN School)) (VP (VBD started))) (, ,) (CC but) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD felt) (ADVP (ADVP (RBR more) (CC and) (RBR more)) (IN as) (IN if) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD were) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT a) (JJ foreign) (NN country)))))))) (. .)))
School started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country.
nsubj
Number=Sing
school
School
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
start
started
VERB
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
but
but
CCONJ
CC
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
feel
felt
VERB
VBD
advmod
Degree=Cmp
more
more
ADV
RBR
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Cmp
more
more
ADV
RBR
mark
as
as
SCONJ
IN
mark
if
if
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
were
AUX
VBD
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
foreign
foreign
ADJ
JJ
advcl
Number=Sing
country
country
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (SQ (VBD Was) (NP (DT this) (JJ rural) (NN area)) (ADVP (RB really)) (NP (NNP New) (NNP Jersey)) (. ?)))
Was this rural area really New Jersey?
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
Was
AUX
VBD
det
Number=Sing|PronType=Dem
this
this
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
rural
rural
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
area
area
NOUN
NN
advmod
really
really
ADV
RB
amod
Degree=Pos
New
New
ADJ
NNP
root
Number=Sing
Jersey
Jersey
PROPN
NNP
punct
?
?
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP$ My) (NNS students)) (VP (VBD took) (NP (DT a) (NN week)) (PRT (RP off)) (SBAR (WHADVP (WRB when)) (S (NP (NN hunting) (NN season)) (VP (VBD began))))) (. .)))
My students took a week off when hunting season began.
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
My
PRON
PRP$
nsubj
Number=Plur
student
students
NOUN
NNS
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
take
took
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
week
week
NOUN
NN
compound:prt
off
off
ADP
RP
advmod
PronType=Int
when
when
ADV
WRB
compound
Number=Sing
hunting
hunting
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Number=Sing
season
season
NOUN
NN
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
begin
began
VERB
VBD
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (VP (VBN told) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBD were) (ADVP (RB also)) (ADJP (RB frequently) (JJ absent)) (PP (IN in) (NP (JJ late) (NNP October))) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB help) (S (NP (PRP$ their) (NNS fathers)) (VP (VB make) (NP (NN hay)) (PP (IN on) (NP (DT the) (NNS farms))))))))))))) (. .)))
I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms.
nsubj:pass
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux:pass
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
tell
told
VERB
VBN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
were
AUX
VBD
advmod
also
also
ADV
RB
advmod
frequently
frequently
ADV
RB
ccomp
Degree=Pos
absent
absent
ADJ
JJ
case
in
in
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
late
late
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
October
October
PROPN
NNP
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
help
help
VERB
VB
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
obj
Number=Plur
father
fathers
NOUN
NNS
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
make
make
VERB
VB
obj
Number=Sing
hay
hay
NOUN
NN
case
on
on
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Plur
farm
farms
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (NP (NP (DT a) (JJ young) (NN woman)) (PP (IN from) (NP (NML (NNP New) (NNP York)) (NNP City)))) (, ,) (SBAR (WHNP (WP who)) (S (VP (VBD thought) (SBAR (IN that) (`` ``) (S (S (VP (VB Make) (NP (NN hay)) (SBAR (IN while) (S (NP (DT the) (NN sun)) (VP (VBZ shines)))))) ('' '') (ADVP (RB just)) (VP (VBD meant) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB have) (NP (DT a) (JJ good) (NN time))))))))))))) (. .)))
I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that "Make hay while the sun shines" just meant to have a good time.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
young
young
ADJ
JJ
root
Number=Sing
woman
woman
NOUN
NN
case
from
from
ADP
IN
compound
Degree=Pos
New
New
ADJ
NNP
compound
Number=Sing
York
York
PROPN
NNP
nmod
Number=Sing
City
City
PROPN
NNP
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
PronType=Rel
who
who
PRON
WP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
think
thought
VERB
VBD
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
ccomp
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
make
Make
VERB
VB
obj
Number=Sing
hay
hay
NOUN
NN
mark
while
while
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
sun
sun
NOUN
NN
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
shine
shines
VERB
VBZ
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
advmod
just
just
ADV
RB
parataxis
Mood=Ind|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
mean
meant
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
have
have
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
good
good
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
time
time
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (CC But) (, ,) (ADVP (RB still)) (, ,) (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (VP (VBG teaching) (NP (NNP English)))) (. .)))
But, still, I was teaching English.
cc
but
But
CCONJ
CC
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
still
still
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
root
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
teach
teaching
VERB
VBG
obj
Number=Sing
English
English
PROPN
NNP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD worked) (ADVP (RB hard)) (, ,) (S (VP (VBG taking) (NP (NN time)) (PRT (RP off)) (S (ADVP (RB only)) (VP (TO to) (VP (VB eat) (CC and) (VB sleep))))))) (. .)))
I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
work
worked
VERB
VBD
advmod
Degree=Pos
hard
hard
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
take
taking
VERB
VBG
obj
Number=Sing
time
time
NOUN
NN
compound:prt
off
off
ADP
RP
advmod
only
only
ADV
RB
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
eat
eat
VERB
VB
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Inf
sleep
sleep
VERB
VB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (CC And) (ADVP (RB then)) (NP (EX there)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (NP (PRP$ my) (JJ sixth-grade) (NN class)) (, --) (, --) (NP (NP (NP (CD seventeen) (NNS boys)) (CC and) (NP (CD five) (NNS girls))) (SBAR (WHNP (WP who)) (S (VP (VBD were) (ADJP (ADJP (NP (QP (RB only) (CD six)) (NNS years)) (JJR younger)) (PP (IN than) (NP (PRP me)))))))))) (. .)))
And then there was my sixth-grade class---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me.
cc
and
And
CCONJ
CC
advmod
PronType=Dem
then
then
ADV
RB
expl
there
there
PRON
EX
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
VERB
VBD
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
amod
Degree=Pos
sixth-grade
sixth-grade
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
class
class
NOUN
NN
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
punct
--
--
PUNCT
,
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
seventeen
seventeen
NUM
CD
appos
Number=Plur
boy
boys
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
five
five
NUM
CD
conj
Number=Plur
girl
girls
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
PronType=Rel
who
who
PRON
WP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
were
AUX
VBD
advmod
only
only
ADV
RB
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
six
six
NUM
CD
obl:npmod
Number=Plur
year
years
NOUN
NNS
acl:relcl
Degree=Cmp
young
younger
ADJ
JJR
case
than
than
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (NP (DT a) (NN problem)) (SBAR (ADVP (RB long)) (IN before) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD knew) (NP (PRP it)))))) (. .)))
I had a problem long before I knew it.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
problem
problem
NOUN
NN
advmod
Degree=Pos
long
long
ADV
RB
mark
before
before
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
know
knew
VERB
VBD
obj
Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (VP (VBG struggling) (PP (IN in) (NP (NP (PRP$ my) (NN work)) (PP (IN as) (NP (DT a) (JJ young) (JJ idealistic) (NN teacher))))))) (. .)))
I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
root
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
struggle
struggling
VERB
VBG
case
in
in
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
obl
Number=Sing
work
work
NOUN
NN
case
as
as
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
young
young
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
idealistic
idealistic
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
teacher
teacher
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD wanted) (S (VP (VP (TO to) (VP (VB make) (S (NP (NN literature)) (VP (VB come) (ADJP (JJ alive)))))) (CC and) (VP (TO to) (VP (VB promote) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN love)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (VBN written) (NN word))))))))) (. .)))
I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
want
wanted
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
make
make
VERB
VB
obj
Number=Sing
literature
literature
NOUN
NN
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
come
come
VERB
VB
xcomp
Degree=Pos
alive
alive
ADJ
JJ
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
mark
to
to
PART
TO
conj
VerbForm=Inf
promote
promote
VERB
VB
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
love
love
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
write
written
VERB
VBN
nmod
Number=Sing
word
word
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NNS students)) (VP (VBD wanted) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VP (VB throw) (NP (NNS spitballs))) (CC and) (VP (VB whisper) (NP (JJ dirty) (NNS words)) (PP (IN in) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN back)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NN room)))))))))) (. .)))
The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room.
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Plur
student
students
NOUN
NNS
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
want
wanted
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
throw
throw
VERB
VB
obj
Number=Plur
spitball
spitballs
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Inf
whisper
whisper
VERB
VB
amod
Degree=Pos
dirty
dirty
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
back
back
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
room
room
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (PP (IN In) (NP (NN college))) (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN been) (VP (VBN taught) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (DT a) (JJ successful) (NN educator)) (VP (MD should) (VP (VB ignore) (NP (JJ bad) (NN behavior))))))))) (. .)))
In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior.
case
in
In
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
college
college
NOUN
NN
nsubj:pass
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
AUX
VBD
aux:pass
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
be
been
AUX
VBN
root
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass
teach
taught
VERB
VBN
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
successful
successful
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
educator
educator
NOUN
NN
aux
VerbForm=Fin
should
should
AUX
MD
ccomp
VerbForm=Inf
ignore
ignore
VERB
VB
amod
Degree=Pos
bad
bad
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
behavior
behavior
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (RB So) (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD did) (, ,) (ADJP (JJ confident) (SBAR (IN that) (, ,) (S (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (DT the) (NN textbook)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN said))))) (, ,) (NP (DT the) (JJ bad) (NN behavior)) (VP (MD would) (VP (VB disappear) (SBAR (IN as) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD gave) (NP (PRP$ my) (NNS students)) (NP (JJ positive) (NN attention))))))))))) (. .)))
So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention.
advmod
so
So
ADV
RB
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
do
did
AUX
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
root
Degree=Pos
confident
confident
ADJ
JJ
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
mark
as
as
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
textbook
textbook
NOUN
NN
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
AUX
VBD
advcl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
say
said
VERB
VBN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
bad
bad
ADJ
JJ
nsubj
Number=Sing
behavior
behavior
NOUN
NN
aux
VerbForm=Fin
would
would
AUX
MD
ccomp
VerbForm=Inf
disappear
disappear
VERB
VB
mark
as
as
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
give
gave
VERB
VBD
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
iobj
Number=Plur
student
students
NOUN
NNS
amod
Degree=Pos
positive
positive
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
attention
attention
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP It)) (VP (VBZ sounds) (ADJP (JJ reasonable)))) (, ,) (CC but) (S (NP (DT the) (NN text)) (ADVP (RB evidently)) (VP (VBD ignored) (NP (DT the) (NN fact) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (NP (NNS humans)) (, ,) (NP (ADVP (RB particularly)) (NNS teenagers)) (, ,)) (ADVP (RB rarely)) (VP (VBP seem) (S (ADJP (JJ reasonable))))))))) (. .)))
It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
It
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
sound
sounds
VERB
VBZ
xcomp
Degree=Pos
reasonable
reasonable
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
but
but
CCONJ
CC
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
text
text
NOUN
NN
advmod
evidently
evidently
ADV
RB
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
ignore
ignored
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
fact
fact
NOUN
NN
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Number=Plur
human
humans
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
particularly
particularly
ADV
RB
appos
Number=Plur
teenager
teenagers
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
rarely
rarely
ADV
RB
acl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
seem
seem
VERB
VBP
xcomp
Degree=Pos
reasonable
reasonable
ADJ
JJ
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (PP (IN By) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN time)) (SBAR (S (NP (NP (NP (PRP$ my) (NN boss)) (, ,) (SBAR (WHNP (WP who)) (S (VP (VBD was) (ADVP (RB also)) (NP (PRP$ my) (NN taskmaster)))))) (, ,) (VP (VBN known) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB be) (NP (DT the) (JJS strictest) (, ,) (ADJP (RBS most) (VBG demanding)) (, ,) (ADJP (RBS most) (JJ quick) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB fire) (NP (JJ inexperienced) (NNS teachers)))))) (, ,))))))) (VP (VBD came) (PP (IN into) (NP (DT the) (NN classroom))) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB observe) (NP (PRP me)))))))))) (, ,) (NP (DT the) (NNS students)) (VP (VBD exhibited) (NP (ADJP (RB very) (JJ little)) (JJ good) (NN behavior)) (S (PP (TO to) (VP (VB praise))))) (. .)))
By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise.
case
by
By
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
time
time
NOUN
NN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
nsubj
Number=Sing
boss
boss
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
PronType=Rel
who
who
PRON
WP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
advmod
also
also
ADV
RB
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
acl:relcl
Number=Sing
taskmaster
taskmaster
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
acl
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
know
known
VERB
VBN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
cop
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
xcomp
Degree=Sup
strict
strictest
ADJ
JJS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
Degree=Sup
most
most
ADV
RBS
xcomp
VerbForm=Ger
demand
demanding
VERB
VBG
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
Degree=Sup
most
most
ADV
RBS
xcomp
Degree=Pos
quick
quick
ADJ
JJ
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
fire
fire
VERB
VB
amod
Degree=Pos
inexperienced
inexperienced
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
teacher
teachers
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
come
came
VERB
VBD
case
into
into
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
classroom
classroom
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
observe
observe
VERB
VB
obj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Plur
student
students
NOUN
NNS
parataxis
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
exhibit
exhibited
VERB
VBD
advmod
very
very
ADV
RB
amod
Degree=Pos
little
little
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
good
good
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
behavior
behavior
NOUN
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
advcl
VerbForm=Inf
praise
praise
VERB
VB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP$ My) (NN boss)) (VP (VBD sat) (PP (IN in) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN back)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NN room)))))) (. .)))
My boss sat in the back of the room.
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
My
PRON
PRP$
nsubj
Number=Sing
boss
boss
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
sit
sat
VERB
VBD
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
back
back
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
room
room
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NNS boys)) (PP (IN in) (NP (DT the) (NN class)))) (VP (VBD were) (VP (VBG making) (NP (NN animal) (NNS noises)) (, ,) (S (VP (VBG hitting) (NP (DT each) (JJ other)) (SBAR (IN while) (S (NP (DT the) (NNS girls)) (VP (VP (VBD filed) (NP (PRP$ their) (NNS nails))) (CC or) (VP (VBD read) (NP (NNS magazines)))))))))) (. .)))
The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines.
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Plur
boy
boys
NOUN
NNS
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
class
class
NOUN
NN
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
were
AUX
VBD
root
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
make
making
VERB
VBG
compound
Number=Sing
animal
animal
NOUN
NN
obj
Number=Plur
noise
noises
NOUN
NNS
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
hit
hitting
VERB
VBG
obj
ExtPos=PRON|PronType=Rcp
each
each
DET
DT
fixed
Degree=Pos
other
other
ADJ
JJ
mark
while
while
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Plur
girl
girls
NOUN
NNS
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
file
filed
VERB
VBD
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
obj
Number=Plur
nail
nails
NOUN
NNS
cc
or
or
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
read
read
VERB
VBD
obj
Number=Plur
magazine
magazines
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (ADVP (RB just)) (VP (VBD pretended) (SBAR (S (NP (NP (PRP it)) (NP (DT all))) (VP (VP (VBD was) (RB n't) (VP (VBG happening))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VBD went) (PP (IN on) (NP (VBG lecturing)))) (CC and) (VP (VBD tried) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB ask) (NP (DT some) (JJ inspiring) (NNS questions)))))))))) (. .)))
I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
advmod
just
just
ADV
RB
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
pretend
pretended
VERB
VBD
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
it
it
PRON
PRP
det
all
all
DET
DT
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
advmod
not
n't
PART
RB
ccomp
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
happen
happening
VERB
VBG
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
go
went
VERB
VBD
mark
on
on
SCONJ
IN
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
lecture
lecturing
VERB
VBG
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
try
tried
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
ask
ask
VERB
VB
det
some
some
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
inspiring
inspiring
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
question
questions
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP$ My) (NN boss)) (, ,) (S (VP (VBG sitting) (PP (IN in) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN back)) (PP (IN of) (NP (DT the) (NN classroom))))))) (, ,) (VP (VBD seemed) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB be) (VP (VBG growing) (ADJP (JJR bigger) (CC and) (JJR bigger))))))) (. .)))
My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger.
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
My
PRON
PRP$
nsubj
Number=Sing
boss
boss
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
acl
VerbForm=Ger
sit
sitting
VERB
VBG
case
in
in
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
back
back
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
classroom
classroom
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
seem
seemed
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
aux
VerbForm=Inf
be
be
AUX
VB
xcomp
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
grow
growing
VERB
VBG
xcomp
Degree=Cmp
big
bigger
ADJ
JJR
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Cmp
big
bigger
ADJ
JJR
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (PP (IN After) (NP (CD twenty) (NNS minutes))) (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD left) (, ,) (ADVP (RB silently))) (. .)))
After twenty minutes he left, silently.
case
after
After
ADP
IN
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
twenty
twenty
NUM
CD
obl
Number=Plur
minute
minutes
NOUN
NNS
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
leave
left
VERB
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
silently
silently
ADV
RB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (NNS Visions)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN unemployment)))) (VP (VBD marched) (PP (IN before) (NP (PRP$ my) (NNS eyes)))) (. .)))
Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes.
nsubj
Number=Plur
vision
Visions
NOUN
NNS
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
unemployment
unemployment
NOUN
NN
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
march
marched
VERB
VBD
case
before
before
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
obl
Number=Plur
eye
eyes
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD felt) (ADJP (RB mildly) (JJ victorious)) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD got) (PP (IN through) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN rest)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN class))))) (PP (IN without) (NP (NN crying)))))))) (, ,) (CC but) (S (PP (IN at) (NP (PRP$ my) (JJ next) (JJ free) (NN period))) (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB face) (NP (PRP him))))))) (. .)))
I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
feel
felt
VERB
VBD
advmod
mildly
mildly
ADV
RB
xcomp
Degree=Pos
victorious
victorious
ADJ
JJ
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
ccomp
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
get
got
VERB
VBD
case
through
through
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
rest
rest
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
class
class
NOUN
NN
case
without
without
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
cry
crying
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
but
but
CCONJ
CC
case
at
at
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
amod
Degree=Pos
next
next
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos
free
free
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
period
period
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
VERB
VBD
mark
to
to
PART
TO
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
face
face
VERB
VB
obj
Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
him
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD wondered) (SBAR (IN if) (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (MD would) (VP (VB let) (S (NP (PRP me)) (VP (VB finish) (PRT (RP out)) (NP (DT the) (NN day))))))))) (. .)))
I wondered if he would let me finish out the day.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
wonder
wondered
VERB
VBD
mark
if
if
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
would
would
AUX
MD
ccomp
VerbForm=Inf
let
let
VERB
VB
obj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
finish
finish
VERB
VB
compound:prt
out
out
ADP
RP
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl:tmod
Number=Sing
day
day
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VP (VBD walked) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN office)))) (, ,) (VP (VBD took) (NP (DT a) (JJ deep) (NN breath))) (, ,) (CC and) (VP (VBD opened) (NP (DT the) (NN door)))) (. .)))
I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
walk
walked
VERB
VBD
case
to
to
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
obl
Number=Sing
office
office
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
take
took
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
deep
deep
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
breath
breath
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
open
opened
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
door
door
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP He)) (VP (VBD was) (VP (VBG sitting) (PP (IN in) (NP (PRP$ his) (NN chair)))))) (, ,) (CC and) (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD looked) (PP (IN at) (NP (PRP me))) (ADVP (RB long) (CC and) (RB hard)))) (. .)))
He was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
He
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
root
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
sit
sitting
VERB
VBG
case
in
in
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
his
his
PRON
PRP$
obl
Number=Sing
chair
chair
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
look
looked
VERB
VBD
case
at
at
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
advmod
Degree=Pos
long
long
ADV
RB
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Degree=Pos
hard
hard
ADV
RB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD said) (NP (NN nothing))) (. .)))
I said nothing.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
say
said
VERB
VBD
obj
Number=Sing|PronType=Neg
nothing
nothing
PRON
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (NP (DT All)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (MD could) (VP (VB think) (PP (IN of))))))) (VP (VBD was) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (RB not) (NP (DT an) (JJ English) (NN teacher))))))) (: ;) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN been) (VP (VBG lying) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP myself))) (, ,) (S (VP (VBG pretending) (SBAR (IN that) (S (NP (NN everything)) (VP (VBD was) (ADJP (JJ fine))))))))))) (. .)))
All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine.
nsubj:outer
all
All
DET
DT
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
VerbForm=Fin
could
could
AUX
MD
acl:relcl
VerbForm=Inf
think
think
VERB
VB
obl
of
of
ADP
IN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
an
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
English
English
ADJ
JJ
root
Number=Sing
teacher
teacher
NOUN
NN
punct
;
;
PUNCT
:
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
AUX
VBD
aux
Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part
be
been
AUX
VBN
parataxis
Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part
lie
lying
VERB
VBG
case
to
to
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs|Reflex=Yes
myself
myself
PRON
PRP
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
pretend
pretending
VERB
VBG
mark
that
that
SCONJ
IN
nsubj
Number=Sing|PronType=Tot
everything
everything
PRON
NN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
ccomp
Degree=Pos
fine
fine
ADJ
JJ
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (SBAR (WHADVP (WRB When)) (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD spoke)))) (, ,) (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD said) (ADVP (RB simply)) (, ,) (PP (IN without) (NP (NN accusation))) (, ,) (`` ``) (S (NP (PRP You)) (VP (VBD had) (NP (NP (NN nothing)) (SBAR (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB say) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP them))))))))))) (. .) ('' '')))
When he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, "You had nothing to say to them."
advmod
PronType=Int
when
When
ADV
WRB
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
speak
spoke
VERB
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
say
said
VERB
VBD
advmod
simply
simply
ADV
RB
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
case
without
without
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
accusation
accusation
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
nsubj
Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs
you
You
PRON
PRP
ccomp
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
VERB
VBD
obj
Number=Sing|PronType=Neg
nothing
nothing
PRON
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
say
say
VERB
VB
case
to
to
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
them
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (`` ``) (NP (PRP You)) (VP (VBD had) (NP (NP (NN nothing)) (SBAR (S (VP (TO to) (VP (VB say) (PP (IN to) (NP (PRP them))))))))) ('' '') (. .)))
"You had nothing to say to them".
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
nsubj
Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs
you
You
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
have
had
VERB
VBD
obj
Number=Sing|PronType=Neg
nothing
nothing
PRON
NN
mark
to
to
PART
TO
acl
VerbForm=Inf
say
say
VERB
VB
case
to
to
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
them
PRON
PRP
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD repeated)) (. .)))
he repeated.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
repeat
repeated
VERB
VBD
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (`` ``) (NP (DT No) (NN wonder) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP they)) (VP (VBP are) (ADJP (JJ bored)))))) (. .)))
"No wonder they are bored.
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
det
no
No
DET
DT
root
Number=Sing
wonder
wonder
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
they
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
are
AUX
VBP
acl:relcl
Degree=Pos
bored
bored
ADJ
JJ
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (SBARQ (WHADVP (WRB Why)) (RB not) (VP (VP (VB get) (PP (IN to) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN meat)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NN literature)))))) (CC and) (VP (VB stop) (S (VP (VBG talking) (PP (IN about) (NP (NN symbolism))))))) (. .)))
Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism.
advmod
PronType=Int
why
Why
ADV
WRB
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
root
VerbForm=Inf
get
get
VERB
VB
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obl
Number=Sing
meat
meat
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
literature
literature
NOUN
NN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
VerbForm=Inf
stop
stop
VERB
VB
xcomp
VerbForm=Ger
talk
talking
VERB
VBG
case
about
about
ADP
IN
obl
Number=Sing
symbolism
symbolism
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (VP (VB Talk) (PP (IN with) (NP (PRP them))) (, ,) (RB not) (PP (IN at) (NP (PRP them)))) (. .)))
Talk with them, not at them.
root
Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin
talk
Talk
VERB
VB
case
with
with
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
them
PRON
PRP
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
not
not
PART
RB
case
at
at
ADP
IN
obl
Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs
they
them
PRON
PRP
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (FRAG (CC And) (ADJP (RBR more) (JJ important)) (, ,) (WHADVP (WRB why)) (SQ (VBP do) (NP (PRP you)) (VP (VB ignore) (NP (PRP$ their) (JJ bad) (NN behavior))) ('' '')) (. ?)))
And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior"?
cc
and
And
CCONJ
CC
advmod
Degree=Cmp
more
more
ADV
RBR
advmod
Degree=Pos
important
important
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
advmod
PronType=Int
why
why
ADV
WRB
aux
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
do
do
AUX
VBP
nsubj
Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs
you
you
PRON
PRP
root
VerbForm=Inf
ignore
ignore
VERB
VB
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
amod
Degree=Pos
bad
bad
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
behavior
behavior
NOUN
NN
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
punct
?
?
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP We)) (VP (VBD talked)) (. .)))
We talked.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs
we
We
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
talk
talked
VERB
VBD
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP He)) (VP (VP (VBD named) (NP (PRP$ my) (NNS problems))) (CC and) (VP (VBD offered) (NP (NNS solutions)))) (. .)))
He named my problems and offered solutions.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
He
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
name
named
VERB
VBD
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
obj
Number=Plur
problem
problems
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
offer
offered
VERB
VBD
obj
Number=Plur
solution
solutions
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP We)) (VP (VBD role-played)) (. .)))
We role-played.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs
we
We
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
role-play
role-played
VERB
VBD
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (NP (PRP He)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (DT the) (JJ bad) (NN student)))) (, ,) (CC and) (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD was) (NP (DT the) (ADJP (JJ forceful) (, ,) (CC yet) (, ,) (JJ warm)) (NN teacher)))) (. .)))
He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
He
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
bad
bad
ADJ
JJ
root
Number=Sing
student
student
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
be
was
AUX
VBD
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
forceful
forceful
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
cc
yet
yet
CCONJ
CC
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
conj
Degree=Pos
warm
warm
ADJ
JJ
conj
Number=Sing
teacher
teacher
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (SBAR (IN As) (S (NP (DT the) (NN year)) (VP (VBD progressed)))) (, ,) (NP (PRP we)) (VP (VBD spent) (NP (JJ many) (NNS hours)) (S (VP (VBG discussing) (NP (NP (NN literature) (CC and) (NNS ideas)) (PP (IN about) (NP (NP (JJ human) (NNS beings)) (CC and) (NP (PRP$ their) (NNS motivations)))))))) (. .)))
As the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations.
mark
as
As
SCONJ
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
year
year
NOUN
NN
advcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
progress
progressed
VERB
VBD
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs
we
we
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
spend
spent
VERB
VBD
amod
Degree=Pos
many
many
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Plur
hour
hours
NOUN
NNS
acl
VerbForm=Ger
discuss
discussing
VERB
VBG
obj
Number=Sing
literature
literature
NOUN
NN
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Number=Plur
idea
ideas
NOUN
NNS
case
about
about
ADP
IN
amod
Degree=Pos
human
human
ADJ
JJ
nmod
Number=Plur
being
beings
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
their
their
PRON
PRP$
conj
Number=Plur
motivation
motivations
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (PRP He)) (VP (VBD helped) (S (NP (PRP me)) (VP (VB identify) (NP (PRP$ my) (NNS weaknesses) (CC and) (NNS strengths))))) (. .)))
He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths.
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
He
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
help
helped
VERB
VBD
obj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
xcomp
VerbForm=Inf
identify
identify
VERB
VB
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
obj
Number=Plur
weakness
weaknesses
NOUN
NNS
cc
and
and
CCONJ
CC
conj
Number=Plur
strength
strengths
NOUN
NNS
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (S (PP (IN In) (ADJP (JJ short))) (, ,) (NP (PRP he)) (VP (VBD made) (NP (NP (DT a) (NN teacher)) (PP (IN of) (NP (PRP me)))) (PP (IN by) (S (VP (VBG teaching) (NP (PRP me)) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN reality)) (PP (IN of) (NP (NP (NNP Emerson) (POS 's)) (NNS words))))))))) (: :) (`` ``) (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NN secret)) (PP (IN to) (NP (NN education)))) (VP (VBZ lies) (PP (IN in) (S (VP (VBG respecting) (NP (DT the) (NN pupil))))))) (. .) ('' '')))
In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: "The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil."
case
in
In
ADP
IN
obl
Degree=Pos
short
short
ADJ
JJ
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
nsubj
Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs
he
he
PRON
PRP
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
make
made
VERB
VBD
det
Definite=Ind|PronType=Art
a
a
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
teacher
teacher
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
mark
by
by
SCONJ
IN
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
teach
teaching
VERB
VBG
iobj
Case=Acc|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
me
PRON
PRP
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
reality
reality
NOUN
NN
case
of
of
ADP
IN
nmod:poss
Number=Sing
Emerson
Emerson
PROPN
NNP
case
's
's
PART
POS
nmod
Number=Plur
word
words
NOUN
NNS
punct
:
:
PUNCT
:
punct
``
``
PUNCT
``
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
The
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
secret
secret
NOUN
NN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
nmod
Number=Sing
education
education
NOUN
NN
parataxis
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
lie
lies
VERB
VBZ
mark
in
in
SCONJ
IN
advcl
VerbForm=Ger
respect
respecting
VERB
VBG
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
obj
Number=Sing
pupil
pupil
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
punct
''
''
PUNCT
''
(ROOT (NFP  ))
root
PUNCT
NFP
(ROOT (S (ADVP (NP (CD Fifteen) (NNS years)) (RBR later)) (NP (PRP I)) (ADVP (RB still)) (VP (VBP drive) (NP (DT that) (JJ same) (NN winding) (NN road)) (PP (IN to) (NP (DT the) (JJ same) (NN school)))) (. .)))
Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school.
nummod
NumForm=Word|NumType=Card
Fifteen
Fifteen
NUM
CD
obl:npmod
Number=Plur
year
years
NOUN
NNS
advmod
Degree=Cmp
late
later
ADV
RBR
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
advmod
still
still
ADV
RB
root
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
drive
drive
VERB
VBP
det
Number=Sing|PronType=Dem
that
that
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
same
same
ADJ
JJ
amod
Number=Sing
wind
winding
NOUN
NN
obj
Number=Sing
road
road
NOUN
NN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
same
same
ADJ
JJ
obl
Number=Sing
school
school
NOUN
NN
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (NN Thanks)) (PP (IN to) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN help)) (SBAR (S (NP (PRP I)) (VP (VBD received) (NP (DT that) (JJ difficult) (JJ first) (NN year)))))))) (, ,) (NP (DT the) (NN school)) (VP (VBZ is) (NP (PRP$ my) (NN home)) (ADVP (RB now))) (. .)))
Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now.
obl:tmod
Number=Sing
thanks
Thanks
NOUN
NN
case
to
to
ADP
IN
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nmod
Number=Sing
help
help
NOUN
NN
nsubj
Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs
I
I
PRON
PRP
acl:relcl
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin
receive
received
VERB
VBD
det
Number=Sing|PronType=Dem
that
that
DET
DT
amod
Degree=Pos
difficult
difficult
ADJ
JJ
amod
Degree=Pos|NumType=Ord
first
first
ADJ
JJ
obj
Number=Sing
year
year
NOUN
NN
punct
,
,
PUNCT
,
det
Definite=Def|PronType=Art
the
the
DET
DT
nsubj
Number=Sing
school
school
NOUN
NN
cop
Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin
be
is
AUX
VBZ
nmod:poss
Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs
my
my
PRON
PRP$
root
Number=Sing
home
home
NOUN
NN
advmod
now
now
ADV
RB
punct
.
.
PUNCT
.
In 1974, after filling out fifty applications, going through four interviews, and winning one offer, I took what I could get---- - a teaching job at what I considered a distant wild area: western New Jersey. My characteristic optimism was alive only when I reminded myself that I would be doing what I had wanted to do since I was fourteen------- teaching English.  School started, but I felt more and more as if I were in a foreign country. Was this rural area really New Jersey? My students took a week off when hunting season began. I was told they were also frequently absent in late October to help their fathers make hay on the farms. I was a young woman from New York City, who thought that "Make hay while the sun shines" just meant to have a good time.  But, still, I was teaching English. I worked hard, taking time off only to eat and sleep. And then there was my sixth-grade class---- seventeen boys and five girls who were only six years younger than me. I had a problem long before I knew it. I was struggling in my work as a young idealistic teacher. I wanted to make literature come alive and to promote a love of the written word. The students wanted to throw spitballs and whisper dirty words in the back of the room.  In college I had been taught that a successful educator should ignore bad behavior. So I did, confident that, as the textbook had said, the bad behavior would disappear as I gave my students positive attention. It sounds reasonable, but the text evidently ignored the fact that humans, particularly teenagers, rarely seem reasonable. By the time my boss, who was also my taskmaster, known to be the strictest, most demanding, most quick to fire inexperienced teachers, came into the classroom to observe me, the students exhibited very little good behavior to praise.  My boss sat in the back of the room. The boys in the class were making animal noises, hitting each other while the girls filed their nails or read magazines. I just pretended it all wasn't happening, and went on lecturing and tried to ask some inspiring questions. My boss, sitting in the back of the classroom, seemed to be growing bigger and bigger. After twenty minutes he left, silently. Visions of unemployment marched before my eyes.  I felt mildly victorious that I got through the rest of class without crying, but at my next free period I had to face him. I wondered if he would let me finish out the day. I walked to his office, took a deep breath, and opened the door.  He was sitting in his chair, and he looked at me long and hard. I said nothing. All I could think of was that I was not an English teacher; I had been lying to myself, pretending that everything was fine.  When he spoke, he said simply, without accusation, "You had nothing to say to them."  "You had nothing to say to them". he repeated. "No wonder they are bored. Why not get to the meat of literature and stop talking about symbolism. Talk with them, not at them. And more important, why do you ignore their bad behavior"? We talked. He named my problems and offered solutions. We role-played. He was the bad student, and I was the forceful, yet, warm teacher.  As the year progressed, we spent many hours discussing literature and ideas about human beings and their motivations. He helped me identify my weaknesses and strengths. In short, he made a teacher of me by teaching me the reality of Emerson's words: "The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil."  Fifteen years later I still drive that same winding road to the same school. Thanks to the help I received that difficult first year, the school is my home now.