AUSTIN, Texas — All eyes were on the nation’s capital Wednesday for the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
But perhaps the breakout star of the event was 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman, who captivated the nation when she read her original poem The Hill We Climb.
Teachers around the country watching the inauguration were so moved by Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem that many incorporated it into their lesson plans for their students to reflect on.
One teacher in Austin said she added it to her curriculum to give her students an opportunity to engage with such a historical current event, but also to see themselves reflected on the national stage.
“I was surprised at how emotional I was," said reading teacher Christin Siller, who was sitting in her empty classroom Wednesday when she Gorman delivered her captivating poem. “My first thought was just her poise and her ability to be a master of words. Being a reading teacher and a book reader that's what struck me first, and then as I began to listen, and then I re-read the poem, I thought, you know, even though I knew she was talking about the inauguration and the events that happened at the Capitol, her words and her message was so relevant to what our students are dealing with here at home.”
Siller teaches reading to freshmen, many who have dyslexia, at Northeast Early College High School, a Title 1 school in Austin. She knew right away she wanted to incorporate Gorman’s poem into her lesson plans.
“Listening to it was very powerful. But when I reread the poem, it was something that, you know, I thought it could be written for anyone who's trying to overcome a crisis or catastrophe in their own personal life," said Siller.
On Thursday, she played the video at the start of class.
“I can start to see head nods. And just a reaction that 'oh this is somebody who's like me and is experiencing life like I am'. You could tell there was a connection or a realization that her words were powerful and resonated," said Siller.
She says her students drew connections between the poem and their own lives, as some Northeast students’ families are struggling to pay rent and afford food during the pandemic.
“We always do a social and emotional check in with the students at the beginning of each period and I will get limited responses. This was the first time that they really began to discuss and really go into great detail about what their family is working through what they're working through as students," said Siller.
She says the main takeaway of Gorman’s poem is the message of resilience and hope for the future.