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As Spanish teacher and former Voices editor Ms. Gentlesk prepares to leave Masterman, she weighs in on her time here and what the future may hold.
What’s the most important skill for a Spanish teacher to have?
The biggest thing is that I don’t want to ruin kids’ enthusiasm. Eighth graders, first day, everyone’s excited. But it’s hard to hold onto that. You want to do a lot of work, because learning a language takes a lot of work, but also maintain that enthusiasm, because the person who keeps going is the person who’s going to be fluent.
You place a heavy emphasis on learning about history and culture in your class – why do you find that important?
It’s important to understand who we are as human beings and our place in the world. Learning history and culture makes you a better person. It breaks prejudices, like the ignorance and xenophobia we see in the United States. A lot of times people don’t even know the history of why someone would be forced to seek asylum here.
[From left to right] Ms. Abney, Ms. Waber, and Ms. Gentlesk
Photo courtesy of Ms. Gentlesk
You were the club sponsor of Voices, the Masterman student newspaper, for several years. How did you see it change over time?
Voices was a surprise. I was hired for the enrichment program, and then they said, “as part of the enrichment program, you will run this paper.” My first year, I was surprised how loose everything was. People would come in late, or expect to be editor but not hand in any work. So maybe having a little more structure.
Voices also used to have sections, like the Technology section or the Sports section, but we found we were just writing to fill a section when there was something else to write about, so we did away with the sections.
But students have always led the change. I just sit in the room and listen to the students.
Photo courtesy of Ms. Gentlesk
How did you make the decision to leave Masterman?
There were lots of things that were a factor. I’m going to Haddon Township High School, in the little town where I live. It’s five minutes from my house. I can ride my bike there, and my kids and I will have the same vacations.
One of the big things was the nine-to-four school day schedule. When I made my decision to leave, the district said that was a non-negotiable factor, and that was going to be really hard for my life. And then the day after I put in my resignation, they changed it back.
Our language department is also changing significantly, and I have different ideas about what would be good for the department than administration. I came to Masterman as an enrichment teacher and I helped build that program, and then I came into Spanish and worked on that program. To rework the program again might require the energy of someone new. My replacement is really wonderful, and I think she has that energy.
What will the transition to a new school be like?
I’m sure it will be an adjustment. Obviously there’s some sadness about leaving the wonderful students. I just sat through the senior awards ceremony, where we heard how extraordinary Masterman students are. The most extraordinary person up on that stage may not even receive an award, because there’s so many talented people.
It was really hard to leave Central and come here, and I was only at Central for a couple years. I’ve been at Masterman for fifteen years, so it’s always going to be a big part of me.
What are your favorite Masterman memories?
A lot of times it’s the small moments. A conversation with a student, or seeing an act of kindness, or somebody when it finally clicks for them. I just saw a Voices editor from years ago at his sister’s graduation. We were remembering our editor’s meetings that were, a lot of times, imperfect. None of us would have completely read all the stories, and we were rushing to get through it all.
And the strangest?
Sweating profusely in January. Ceiling tiles falling on your head, and just continuing to teach. Trying to hook up to a different smart board in every room. Having my desk down by the fifth graders, and they’re being loud and singing.
I remember we’d go across the street for this enrichment class, and this one student would be running all over the building. I had to explain, like, “you can not take the elevator up and down all the floors.” And now he’s a functioning adult, who lives in his own apartment.
I remember when we were doing senior projects and they were redoing the library, so all the seniors had to walk down to Ben Franklin. So Ms. Parker and I would roll a cart down Brandywine Street with senior projects. Things are falling off, and we’re just walking down the street.
What are your plans for the summer?
My family has a big trip planned to Glacier National Park in Montana. It’s my 20th wedding anniversary, and my daughter’s graduating high school, and my son’s graduating elementary school, so it’s always been in our minds to have a big trip. And then I’ll be trying to figure out next year’s curriculum.
And parting words to the Masterman community?
I’m just so grateful for my 15 years here. [A startled yelp comes from a neighboring room. Ms. Gentlesk laughs.] And the screams. Such a quirky place, so many things you can’t explain to someone who’s not at Masterman. Especially the last two years. We all went through something together. I wouldn’t have wanted to go through this with any other people. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and my students, and that’s something that is very special.
The Voices staff wishes Ms. Gentlesk luck with all their hearts, and are incredibly grateful to all she’s done for both the newspaper and the school.
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