CLARKS SUMMIT — Abington Heights English teacher Marilyn Pryle’s passion for literature stems from the subject’s potential for positive life change.

“On a philosophical level, I believe that education is the one thing that can improve people’s lives, and specifically English – reading and writing,” she said. “I believe in my heart that, when you read more, and when you write more, whether you think you’re good at it or not, you become a better person. You become a better human being.”

Pryle, 47, of Clarks Green is the author of six books geared toward teachers, all published by Scholastic. The latest, “50 Writing Activities for Meeting Higher Standards,” was released this summer. She recently returned from an International Literacy Association (ILA) conference in Orlando, Fla., where she gave a presentation on the book’s content and her philosophy and ideas about education.

This was the fifth time Pryle presented at the ILA conference. In addition to speaking, she also attended other presentations and workshops at the event. She was able to attend the conference, thanks to Abington Heights’ Dolbear Grant, named after the late former district superintendent Frank Dolbear and funded by the Rotary Club of the Abingtons.

The joys of teaching

Pryle began her teaching career more than 20 years ago and is about to enter her eighth year at Abington Heights, where she teaches 10th grade world literature and creative writing.

She said there are two aspects of teaching in which she finds the greatest joy. The first is seeing students’ worlds expand along with their understanding, as they read about different kinds of people, places and cultures. The second is seeing students grow in their understanding of themselves, as they learn to write about their own lives and experiences.

“I think that writing makes a person be present,” Pryle said. “Especially for students – trying to get them to slow down in our world of shallow distractions and make them pay attention to the things around them. …That’s a key for a happy life – just slowing down. And, as a writer, the same thing happens.”

The routine of writing

Pryle stressed the importance for writers to establish routines. For her, the ideal time to write comes each day before school starts. She said, although she does get some of her writing done during summer break, her best work is accomplished in the early morning hours during the academic year.

“You set a time for yourself to write every day and then your brain is ready at that time,” she said. “It’s really just an hour or so in the morning, but it adds up, and I just chip away.”

The Pennsylvania native came upon the idea for her first book after moving to Boston, Mass. to pursue an MFA in creative writing. After earning the degree, she accepted a job in that area, teaching an eighth-grade writing workshop, for which she developed most of the material herself. After moving back to Pennsylvania a few years later, she realized that material could be made into a book. So she put together a proposal and sent it to Scholastic and it was accepted.

That first book led to a second, and so began her writing career.

A cycle of learning

Pryle wrote her two most recent books while teaching at Abington Heights, and both include real student samples from her classes there.

She said using her ideas in the classroom, refining them and then writing about them was “a wonderful experience.”

“And now, thanks to the students who I’ve had, other students around the country – and even around the world – are doing these same activities and they have student samples to work off of,” she said.

“It’s a neat cycle.”

Abington Heights High School English teacher Marilyn Pryle has had six books published by Scholastic, all of which serve as resources for other teachers.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-Pryle.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights High School English teacher Marilyn Pryle has had six books published by Scholastic, all of which serve as resources for other teachers. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Local author and teacher Marilyn Pryle’s two most recent books, ‘50 Common Core Reading Response Activities,” (2014) and “50 Writing Activities for Meeting Higher Standards,” (2017), both published by Scholastic, serve as resourses for other teachers.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-Pryle-2.jpg.optimal.jpgLocal author and teacher Marilyn Pryle’s two most recent books, ‘50 Common Core Reading Response Activities,” (2014) and “50 Writing Activities for Meeting Higher Standards,” (2017), both published by Scholastic, serve as resourses for other teachers. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Local author and teacher Marilyn Pryle at her book signing during an International Literacy Association conference in July in Orlando, Fla.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_ABJ-Pryle-3.jpg.optimal.jpgLocal author and teacher Marilyn Pryle at her book signing during an International Literacy Association conference in July in Orlando, Fla. Submitted photo
AH teacher Marilyn Pryle shares philosophies through books

 

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

 

 

Meet Marilyn Pryle

Family: Husband, Tim Pryle; two sons, Gavin, 14; and Tiernan, 12

Greatest life accomplishment so far: Her children

Favorite books: “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare and “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders

Hobby: Yoga

Childhood career goal: Teaching

 

 

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.