People Like Me!
I was thirteen when I read a script for ‘Hamlet’ by William Shakespeare for the first time. This memory marks the beginning of what I remember as the most transformative moment of my young adolescent life. […] I am twenty two years old today and there are few things in my life that have made me feel more confident in myself than tackling the language of Shakespeare with Annie through Oberlin Children’s Shakespeare Project. Over the course of three years and seven productions, Annie led me to the very end of each show with an admirable amount of conviction, determination and patience. Including my role as Hamlet, which I still consider to be one of my proudest accomplishments to this day. I will never forget the profound impact this had on my life as a child and then eventually how it would continue to impact my development into adulthood.
The way Annie introduced us to Shakespeare felt easy. Each production was a new opportunity to understand myself a little bit better through a new story and a new character. The freedom to be silly, experiment and see how far I could commit to a scene was thrilling and I needed it. I needed a place where I was free to take up space. That is exactly what our time together felt like. I was never afraid to take up space when I was working with Annie. She immediately broke down any kind of fear or anxiety surrounding a character, scene or production and made us feel confident taking each one head on and in stride, often leading by example and through her various vocal exercises that emphasized standing tall, annunciating and speaking loudly with our diaphragm. […] She fostered an environment that was kind and allowed for each of us to grow and become better at our craft. I valued that I had an adult that modeled what it looked like to confidently take up space. Annie was my role model and because she taught me how to take up space. This is a lesson I believe more young people need to be taught in childhood and early adolescence. Her vision has allowed me to walk into every room and know that I can take on whatever comes my way.
Daria Martz, former OCSP student
“I have worked with Annie for the past three years and have closely observed her as a student, teacher, founder and director of a thriving arts education nonprofit, and mentor and inspiration to local middle school students. She is the most creative, committed, and inspiring young educator I have worked with in my more than ten years of teaching Creative Writing pedagogy.
[…] It is in transforming children’s lives that Annie has already shown herself to be a genius. I have now watched as dozens of middle school students have been changed by their work with Annie.”
Lynn Powell, Director of Oberlin Writers in the Schools
“I’m really going to miss you because for the first time I felt welcome at [school]. I’ve been through obstacles no one expects, but then you came to [school]. That’s honestly the best thing that’s ever happened at [school] to me.
You give everyone a clean slate even though they may be wrong. You made me feel comfortable with the brain I have. That’s weird to say, but I really appreciate how much you’ve helped me grow. It’s the energy and enthusiasm you have when you teach. For once, I’m kind of excited to go to college, because I’m slowly coming out of my shell.
I don’t know how to thank you.”
A twelfth grade student
“You have to of been my favorite english teacher of all time. Thinking about all the literature we read and diving deep into new ways to learn about it was so much fun. I’m going to really miss you. Thank you :)”
A seventh grade student
“Thank you for being a positive role model for us. Having a strong female in the staff at [school] is something that is very rare and we are glad to have an outspoken leader to look up to. Thank you for listening to our problems and giving us good advice. We can come to you when we need a friend or a good book!
We are forever thankful for you.”
Two eighth grade students
“Annie Rasiel is the most outstanding young teacher I have ever known—and I am a retired Oberlin College English Professor who has worked professionally with dozens of high school English teachers over my forty-plus year career as an educator.
Annie’s outstanding teaching and leadership skills, shown in the commitment, joy, and growth of middle school youngsters, her firm maturity as an instructor, her directorial expertise, her vision of the role of the arts in education, and her ability to draw out the best from young students, all produce a dazzling achievement. Parents rave about their children’s learning and growth.
Annie has firm, clear rules for student behavior, but also encourages fresh artistry and joy, drawing out creative and responsible work from her acting troupe. Under Annie’s remarkable direction, students preform Shakespeare at a very high level, understand fully every word they speak, and understand all of the acting, staging, and other choices made. I recommend Annie Rasiel as a dynamic, formidable, and delightful teacher.”
Phyllis Gorfain, Founder and Artistic Director of Oberlin Drama at Grafton Prison
“You have made such an impact on the kids, especially ___. Middle school can be such a tumultuous time, and she honestly couldn't have made it without a teacher who believed in her and allowed her to be herself when the world didn't understand her. You supported her when being the odd person out was difficult and introduced her to worlds created by literature, from fantasy to, of course, Shakespeare.”
An eighth grade parent
“Words cannot express how a wonderful English teacher you were. I have been extremely thankful for the energetic ambience of English class and the passion you showed. I am grateful you have exposed me to classic literature for the first time. Because of you, I have discovered the joy of writing and literature.”
A seventh grade student