August 16, 2021

Hello, and welcome to my class website!

My name is Alan Mostov, and I teach Seventh and Eighth Grades Honors Language Arts. This is my twenty-sixth year of teaching. I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1995, then taught Honors Junior English and Drama at Bellefontaine High School for three years. In the spring of 1999 I made the decision to move back to the Canton area — I graduated from McKinley in 1991 — and for the past twenty years, Edison has been my home. For twelve years I taught freshman English — both on-level and advanced. When the district finally moved the 9th grade to the high school, I didn't go with them. Instead, I settled in and began my tenure as an eighth grade language arts teacher.

As I type this, I wonder: where did the time go?

I remember students from long ago: the many who have remained in touch, who have become close friends in adulthood. I also recollect the many more students who have slipped away: those I never heard from again after they left my classroom. I picture my students from twenty years ago. Ten years ago. Five years ago. And I recall my students from last year: the class of 2024, who will wander the hallways of Perry High School anxious to find their lockers, their classrooms, their friends, their teachers. I reflect on personalities old and new. I muse that I have taught the children of friends I grew up with and the children of my former students. I now find myself teaching students younger than my own sons. I've been at this for a very long time.

These past twenty-five years have been both exhilarating and exhausting, but always extraordinary. At various points in my career, I have taught seventh through eleventh grades at all levels. I have taught several electives in both literature and composition. And, of course, I have taught drama. I have had some "off" years, to be sure. At times I have grown complacent, disheartened, irritable. But after twenty-two years, I can admit it is still worth it. Despite the frustrations and the disappointments. Despite the endless hours of grading and the grueling preparation of lesson plans. Despite homework not turned in. Despite the defiant and disruptive students and the adults who make excuses for them. Despite procedures, policies, and reforms. Despite the negativity and the scapegoating. Teaching is still worth it. Why? Because my students are worth it. The continued hope in life that each generation will contribute, nurture, and better our world requires that today's youth be taught magnificently. To be part of that honorable, spectacular adventure is to live a life that matters. Teaching matters because students matter. Teaching is worth it because students are worth it.

I'd like to think in my twenty-five years of teaching that I have mattered. I pray I have made a difference in the lives of my students, my kids -- they will always be "my kids." I have a side gig as a Disc Jockey, and I have been honored to DJ the wedding receptions of many of my former students. It means the world to me that all these years later, so many of my kids still want me to be a part of their lives and to celebrate their milestones and achievements with them. My friends list on facebook is peopled by former students from two schools who wish to remain connected to me and my life. (Note: I do not accept friend requests until you are 18 and graduated. Just sayin'.) I imagine that means I've done well in my career, and that re-energizes me.

I still love teaching. How exciting that, this morning, new students will enter my classroom: wide-eyed, impressionable middle-schoolers, some brimming with enthusiasm, others with trepidation. They will sit in desks aged by memories of friendship, discovery, courage, accomplishment, and heartbreak. Most will smile brightly, secretly thrilled, eager to begin anew. They will ask questions, set goals, and dream big. How exciting that, this morning, I get the chance to once again roll up my sleeves and be there to make sure their questions are answered, their goals are met, and their dreams come true.

Teachers count time in years: It is your first year of teaching; it is your twentieth year of teaching. Yet, teachers teach in moments. When class begins tomorrow morning, I will be in the moment. And I will thank my lucky stars that I am a teacher, and that I can and will make a difference in the lives of my kids.

I often begin the school year by asking my students to fill out an interest inventory in an effort to know them better. Perhaps my answers will let you know me better, too.

All About Me

Favorite Subject in school: English/Language Arts, History, and Band

Favorite Musicians: The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Sam Cooke, Queen, and John Coltrane

Favorite Movies: The Original Star Wars Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Shining, Jaws, and anything directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Favorite TV Programs: The Walking Dead, The X-Files, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Supernatural, and Doctor Who

Favorite Books: The Lord of the Rings, A Song of Ice and Fire, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Dark Tower, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Watership Down

Favorite People: My wife, Gail, and my sons, Joel and Ben

Favorite Magazine: Rolling Stone

Favorite Sports: Baseball (Go Tribe!)

Favorite Games: Chess, Euchre, and Scrabble

Favorite Place: At home with my family.

Hobbies: Reading, Traveling, Cooking, Walking, Journaling, and Hanging with my family.

Things That I Really Enjoy: DJing, Playing the Drums, Horror Movies, Comic Books, Science Fiction, Roller Coasters, Theater, Shakespeare, Photography, Poetry, Anime, World Mythology, Jazz, Soul, and Blues Music.

Things That Really Bug Me: People who talk during a movie, intolerance, Jar Jar Binks, and Kanye West.

My Favorite Food: Pizza, buffalo wings, burgers, tacos, and dessert, especially tiramisu, key lime pie, peanut butter cookies, and dark chocolate.

My Best Friend: My wife, Gail.

My Favorite Place to Vacation: New York City, Las Vegas, the Caribbean, or Walt Disney World

Things I Hate To Do: Washing dishes and folding laundry.

My Secret Wish: To write and publish a novel someday. I also dream — when the day finally arrives — of having a grand retirement party with all of my former students in attendance; my own "Mr. Holland's Opus".

My Goal in Life: To be a better husband, father, and teacher.