Teacher


Michael Struchen
E-Mail: mstruche@pacs.cnyric.org 



     
     
     
Top reasons why English matters:

1. Reading, writing, listening, speaking. 
We use our eyes, hands, ears, and voices to give and receive information everyday.

2. Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
Important questions now; important questions always --if you want to know.

3. You're not the only one, and maybe you can see it this way.
We relate deeply to music and movies for our own reasons. Both are stories, and stories teach about life and pass it on for generations.
 

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About Mr. Struchen:

Education:
Regents Diploma, Portville Central School, NY (1998)
A.A. Humanities, Jamestown Community College (2000)
B.A. English-Secondary Education, SUNY Fredonia (2002)
M.A. Adolescent Literacy, St. Bonaventure University (2005)

Background:
I previously taught seventh grade ELA for six years (2002-08) in my hometown of Portville, NY before re-locating to Pulaski. This year marks my second of teaching eighth grade in the home of the Blue Devils. 

Fast Facts:
Family: I am the oldest of three boys (all five years apart); my middle brother works in architecture in Syracuse, and my youngest is currently a college student. He had the honor to be in my class during my first year of teaching seventh grade! We both lived to tell the tale. Currently, my wife, Cindy, and I are proud to be members of the Central New York community.

Hobbies: Reading, writing, watching/coaching baseball and football, singing to my iPod while driving, relaxing with our black Lab and sinister black cat, fishing, and playing Wii.

Favorite author: Mark Twain

Favorite books: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
                      The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien
 
Essential magazines: Sports Illustrated, ESPN the Magazine, Time

Favorite music: classic / hard rock 

Favorite parts of teaching English: reading great stories aloud and bringing characters to life; analyzing the decisions, motivations, and lessons of human nature through literature; as well as capturing the endless individual voices and views of my students.