←Recommendations of There Are No Closets in My Classroom

  • Robert J. LeBlanc: There Are No Closets in My Classroom by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    Literature offers permission to put a voice to one's feelings. Permission is the key to Nora's beautiful monologue.

    A teacher stands in front of a disciplinary board to address the issue of a student being inspired to embrace who they are. We see it happen more and more. Our society is, for the most part, giving permission for people to no longer live a lie or hide who they are. Nora's 'There Are No Closets in My Classroom' shows the power of literature in helping the young to put a voice to their feelings and embrace that permission. So good.

    Literature offers permission to put a voice to one's feelings. Permission is the key to Nora's beautiful monologue.

    A teacher stands in front of a disciplinary board to address the issue of a student being inspired to embrace who they are. We see it happen more and more. Our society is, for the most part, giving permission for people to no longer live a lie or hide who they are. Nora's 'There Are No Closets in My Classroom' shows the power of literature in helping the young to put a voice to their feelings and embrace that permission. So good.

    ”
  • Christopher Soucy: There Are No Closets in My Classroom by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    This is a introspective piece that shines a light on the generations who are actively trying to refit their understanding of gender and sexuality to accommodate a more accepting society. Sometimes issues make perfect sense but are met with dire resistance. Nora Louise Syran presents a teacher who has been teaching 30 years and has a heartfelt philosophy of how to treat the newest generation as they define themselves.

    This is a introspective piece that shines a light on the generations who are actively trying to refit their understanding of gender and sexuality to accommodate a more accepting society. Sometimes issues make perfect sense but are met with dire resistance. Nora Louise Syran presents a teacher who has been teaching 30 years and has a heartfelt philosophy of how to treat the newest generation as they define themselves.

    ”
  • Eric Mansfield: There Are No Closets in My Classroom by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    'No Closets' reminds us all that teachers have thoughts. Deep thoughts. About their students and what they're going through in their development. Teachers are rarely allowed to really share their opinions let alone compare kids from their early teaching days to their modern classrooms. At least, they can't do it out loud. In 'No Closets,' Nora Louise Syran allows an actor the emotional to strip away the straight jackets that keep teachers from having real dialogue about the uncertainty they're seeing in the classroom while maintaining big government's hold on teachers who dare to be so brave.

    'No Closets' reminds us all that teachers have thoughts. Deep thoughts. About their students and what they're going through in their development. Teachers are rarely allowed to really share their opinions let alone compare kids from their early teaching days to their modern classrooms. At least, they can't do it out loud. In 'No Closets,' Nora Louise Syran allows an actor the emotional to strip away the straight jackets that keep teachers from having real dialogue about the uncertainty they're seeing in the classroom while maintaining big government's hold on teachers who dare to be so brave.

    ”
  • Debra A. Cole: There Are No Closets in My Classroom by Nora Louise Syran
    “

    As a retired teacher who had kids come out to her every year, not like Luca, but beautifully none the less, this touched home. We live in a time that seems to be marching forward for our youth, and backward for so many others. I miss the classroom, not for the subject matter I taught, but for the ideas, compassion, and critical thinking the curriculum provided. Thank you, Nora, for giving a voice to so many frustrated teachers.

    As a retired teacher who had kids come out to her every year, not like Luca, but beautifully none the less, this touched home. We live in a time that seems to be marching forward for our youth, and backward for so many others. I miss the classroom, not for the subject matter I taught, but for the ideas, compassion, and critical thinking the curriculum provided. Thank you, Nora, for giving a voice to so many frustrated teachers.

    ”