Recently, I had the privilege to interview one of Oratory’s finest, Mr. Matthew Klarmann. For the uninitiated, Mr. Klarmann is a member of our incredible English faculty here at OP. Frankly, the entire Department of Humanities is bursting with pure teaching prowess, but Mr. Klarmann (to me) still manages to stand out for his omnipresent relaxed demeanor, captivating voice, and excellent sense of humor. Currently, Mr. Klarmann teaches both 9th graders and 12th graders here, so many of you will hopefully get the chance to take a class with him. For full disclosure, this article was meant to come out on Mr. Klarmann’s birthday, January 13th, but alas, the article could not come together in time. Still, he deserves an interview any day of the year, especially within the illustrious pages of The Omega. I hope you all enjoy this interview with Mr. Klarmann!

First off, here are some questions about the way we all know you: teaching.

1. Why did you become a teacher, and when did you first want to become one?

“I think I first became interested in teaching when I was in high school. I admired my teachers and loved school. I think a lot of what I do in the classroom today was molded by my favorite teachers in high school. From my very first day teaching, I was hooked and never seriously considered leaving the profession- it is too much fun and incredibly rewarding.”

2. What is your favorite aspect of teaching English?

“Literature is enjoyable. Reading is enjoyable. I have the opportunity to hopefully help students find that same joy and ultimately help them to relate to characters and conflicts. Teaching English also allows for a lot of creativity in the classroom; I enjoy creating lessons and assignments that students will enjoy. I think that when students enjoy the lessons, they can learn more in a fun and comfortable environment. I also enjoy watching students improve, especially in their writing.”

3. What are some things that make teaching English specifically challenging, as opposed to other subjects?

“Grading essays.”

4. Through all the grades you have taught, what are some differences in the way you teach older students versus younger ones?

“Younger students, especially 9th graders, are like clay; they wait to be molded and they are eager to learn- almost everything seems new and exciting to them. They bring a ton of energy to the room each day, and I get to see a lot of “light bulbs” going off as they learn. I really enjoy this. They also bring a lot of silliness and humor. This is fun for me because I am pretty silly for a forty-five-year-old. Seniors typically have a lot going on in their lives- unique pressures from their social lives, advanced courses, college applications, etc. This can bring the literature to life in a different way- perhaps their experiences bring a more mature discussion to the class. They may relate to the literature on a more personal level or simply have the ability to bring a lot of their own experiences that might relate to, say, character conflicts, etc. I enjoy getting to know the seniors and building relationships with them.”

A bit more fun: some questions about reading and writing.

5. What is something you enjoy about reading students’ writing?

“I enjoy helping them improve, but this is a ton of effort. I like to watch students compare their first writing samples with their final essays at the end of the year. I can see their confidence grow and their comfort with writing increase.”

6. Is there a “most common flaw” (besides editing mistakes) that you notice in people’s writing (students or others)?

“Most people tend to be wordy and overthink their writing- they believe that “more is better.” This can be difficult to read and understand.”

7. What is one piece of advice that you would give aspiring writers?

“Keep reading and have fun with it.”

8. Tell us about the last good book you read/are currently reading.

“I just finished Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck. I just picked up two books by Colson Whitehead entitled The Underground Railroad and The Colossus of New York. I really enjoyed his book Nickel Boys, so I’m looking forward to these.”

9. What is your favorite piece of literature of all time?

“I’m a big fan of Pete Hammil’s novels and stories.  His writing has a tremendous rhythm to it and the characters seem to jump off the page and come to life.”

Lastly, one last personal question: 

10. Are you doing anything for your birthday? Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks. I’m just going to relax with my wife and my dogs on the couch and watch movies.