Joe Weil - Teachers Make a Difference - Alice Bartnique

The speaker reflects on the profound influence of Mrs. Bartnick, their high school teacher, who first recognized their potential as a poet. Despite personal hardships, Mrs. Bartnick's encouragement and belief in the speaker's talent provided the confidence needed to pursue a career in poetry. The speaker recounts a touching reunion with Mrs. Bartnick, who attended a reading at their old high school. This experience highlights the lasting impact a dedicated teacher can have on a student's life, offering guidance and support even in challenging times.

Who was the first person to recognize the narrator's potential as a poet?

• Mr. Brown

• Mr. Smith

• Mrs. Bartnick

• Mrs. Johnson

What significant event happened to the narrator a few years after meeting Mrs. Bartnick?

• They published their first book

• They started a new job in a different field

• They moved to a new city

• They lost both parents and faced homelessness

What role did the narrator take on at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation?

• Editor

• Poet in residence

• Creative writing teacher

• Literature professor

How old was Mrs. Bartnick when she attended the narrator's reading at their old high school?

• 100 years old

• 90 years old

• 84 years old

• 94 years old

What does the narrator believe is the role of a great teacher?

• To focus solely on academic achievements

• To provide strict discipline

• To give permission and guidance

• To ensure students follow traditional paths