To my surprise, after teaching math for 4 years, I was asked if I would join the English department at my high school. My principal and team leader were impressed that I had published books and wanted me to bring my expertise in writing to my teaching.

Yikes.

I enjoy teaching English far more than I expected. My feedback can be more personal. Class writing warm ups can be about their weekends. I can let students write about zombies and lava monsters and ghosts and kidnappings. I can talk abou...