San Luis Obispo High School English teacher Eldra Avery is a legend here on campus. Her unique teaching techniques have made her well-renowned for her ability to improve students’ writing capabilities. Expressions sat down with her for a brief interview, with intentions of finding out her outlook on the subject of English.

Expressions: How long have you been teaching?

English Teacher Eldra Avery: I started teaching in 1980, so 35 years.

Expressions: What made you want to become an English teacher?

Avery: I think I was born wanting to help people discover their talent, and I’ve always loved watching people change.

Expressions: What do you feel is your duty as an English teacher?

Avery: To help my students learn to evaluate their own work, because they are going to leave me, and when they write something that doesn’t make sense, they need to be able to fix it themselves.

Expressions: Would you recommend teaching as a career to the youth of today?

Avery: Yes! Especially the kids who want to really make a difference and have struggled with things in their own life, because they have the best experience. Every year you get to watch people mature. Plus, kids are usually really kind and polite.

Expressions: Is there any message you would like to relay to SLOHS students?

Avery: They have to step in, and take over.