←Recommendations of There Are No Closets in My Classroom

I loved Nora Louise Syran’s monologue There Are No Closets in My Classroom. It’s a powerful monologue that deals with the important issues of gender equality and coming to terms with one’s sexuality. That it’s about children dealing with these issues makes it even more significant. Syran’s writing is precise, moving and effective. An important piece!

I decided to read this thinking that it might be about school shootings - pleasant surprise that it involves a different kind of closet. Nora Louise Syran uses her experience and the history to create a wonderful parable for us all. The mixing in of the young writer and the struggle to follow an influence like Virginia Woolf is genius. Great story and wonderful vocalization by a terrific character - This needs to be performed! 10/18/2024

09.28.24 - I don't know how you could read this monologue and NOT be moved by the thoughts contained therein. As an adult, we are obligated to not only teach our youth, but to inspire them to be greater than they are, to face and overcome their fears, and to want to express themselves without regret. That this takes place in front of a disciplinary board tells us that we run the risk of failing our task. Because the powers that be are themselves afraid. Nora Louise Syran has struck a chord here.

Outstanding. Beautifully written with an important lesson for our time. Not surprising it’s written by a teacher to be delivered by a teacher. This is Nora Louise Syran at her best.

"There Are No Closets in My Classroom" offers a powerful exploration of the challenges and complexities faced by both educators and students in navigating issues of identity, acceptance, and expression within the educational setting.

A heartfelt monologue from a teacher reflecting on time, gender, lessons, sexuality, sense of self and writing.

This is just tragically beautiful. Teachers are on the front lines. They are there as young people learn and discover the world as well as themselves. And if the "administration" doesn't like the students' discoveries, it's the teachers who are punished. This teacher is just doing their job wonderfully, thoughtfully and with total admiration of the students they teach. And the fact the teacher is still open to learning more. The right way to speak of students, the right way to teach, but always with heart. This should be performed for a teacher in service and discussed!!

What is so inspiring about Nora’s monologue is the way in which the character is thinking out loud and trying to keep up with the shifting culture of her young students while simultaneously advocating for their rights to be their authentic selves. Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf? Many people still are, and the quotes of her work in this monologue add so much dramatically without the inclusion of them sounding like an academic paper. Impressive work.

What a thoughtful piece -- there is a quiet steadiness here that I really appreciate. I know that this teacher and their ideals aren't going anywhere (at least in this fictional world), and that brings me hope.

A wonderful monologue for this moment! I hope it will be irrelevant soon, but unfortunately it is needed. And beautifully written! We need more like this! I love the way Syran references literature here so that even school boards can understand (or maybe not school boards), but audiences are brought into the piece and the mind of the teacher - a great role - clearly. It shows so well how literature matters!