Talking texts with teachers #1

A short interview with Seamus Kavanagh from Thornbury High School about the best (and worst) texts he's taught, and the books he studied in school that left an impression.

Seamus Kavanagh is the Head of English / Literacy at Thornbury High School. He worked previously at Richmond High School and believes that he was lucky to have mentors and Heads of Faculty in his career that were avid readers, supportive, and champions of high quality teaching and learning. Growing up, he loved reading anything and everything, from magazines in waiting rooms, poetry on car rides, to a wide array of novels on his hour-long commute to school in the mornings. 

---

What is the best text you've ever taught, and why?

The best text I have ever taught in the middle years is a tie between Sister Heart and The Road to Winter.

Sister Heart was an absorbing and insightful perspective into First Nations issues through literature. Also, the verse style was engaging and allowed for some great mini-writing tasks and reading groups (it removed some of the stress of students reading in groups as it was relatively straightforward). 

The Road to Winter was probably the most engaging text for young boys who are reluctant readers. Most of them started off a bit ‘who cares?’ and eventually were totally sucked in.