At first glance, Karen Bewick, an English teacher for juniors and seniors, looks like any other teacher. However, after a second look, students are surprised to realize that Bewick calls herself “crazy Bewick” and lives up to the name. She said that some of her former students gave her that name.
Bewick brings her classes to life by raising her voice to wake up her students and break through to them by challenging them to interpret literature.
“I can’t help but leave her class with a smile each day,” said junior Lauren Cawley.
Bewick said she believes it is important to have a community of mutual respect for both the teacher’s benefit and the students. Based on this belief, she requests that students be honest with her when they have not done a homework or reading assignment. With two masters degrees, one in music and one in English, Bewick taught harpsichord at the Duke Ellington School in Washington, DC, prior to teaching at Walter Johnson. She went on to sell real state and found it lucrative, but unsatisfying. She missed teaching students.
“Ever since I was little I have taught younger kids music, how to swim and how to play the piano,” said Bewick. To satisfy her need to teach, Bewick joined the English department at WJ in 1998. She entered WJ with an open mind and a new method of teaching.
“I think that some teachers take their job too seriously,” said Bewick.
Her simple equation of fun plus unexpected humor equals a positive learning environment. Bewick dares to think outside of the box to motivate her students. She dares to treat her students like adults and do whatever it takes to help keep her students on task and learning. This method of teaching helps keep the students engaged in the lesson, reading or whatever they have to do. Her “crazy” teaching style really works for her students.
