Kristi Scarbrough

Kristi Scarbrough’s classroom is a sanctuary where the humanities flourish and where she instills a deep love and care for our words.

First and foremost, Kristi Scarbrough is recognized as an exceptional teacher in Jasper County. Her teaching career spans twenty years in a different school district, interrupted by a stint as a social worker, yet her heart remained with education. “I missed education,” she confesses. Scarbrough inherited her dedication and empathy; her father served as a guidance counselor, and her mother, employed at a hospital, also modeled these virtues. These professions might as well broadcast empathy, a trait that now informs her teaching of English—a subject she hopes this article will honor in its use of language.

Both of Scarbrough’s children, following in her footsteps, are pursuing degrees in education. For them, teaching is not just a job but a family tradition that transcends monetary gain. Scarbrough reflects, “I know everybody says don’t go into it for the money.” She understands that the true rewards of being a humanities teacher in a world dominated by science, “facts,” and data, are profound and revolutionary. She imparts to her students an appreciation for the arts, encouraging them to see beyond their syllabus: “You may not read Henry David Thoreau or Ralph Waldo Emerson ever again. But you now may have a newfound appreciation for nature, and how you use your words.” She strives to ensure that her students understand the eternal nature of words and the responsibility they carry.

Scarbrough champions the philosophy that learning is an endless journey: “I tell them: you’re always learning, every day. I’m learning from you, and you’re learning from me.” She views the exchange of knowledge as a two-way street, a cycle that perpetuates growth and understanding.

Teaching English, creative writing, and poetry, Scarbrough navigates the complexities of literature with a passion that’s contagious. She emphasizes irony and poetics to her students, as well as the fundamentals like topic sentences and vocabulary enhancement. Her enthusiasm is not limited to the mechanics of language but extends to its power and artistry. She courageously includes in her curriculum books that may face community scrutiny or censorship.

To Kill a Mockingbird is one such classic that, despite its contentious reception, Scarbrough advocates for: “I think it’s a really important piece of literature.” She doesn’t just teach books; she brings them to life, infusing her lessons with her own zeal and interests—a brave act in a world that can sometimes be apathetic or even hostile to such endeavors. Scarbrough’s deep knowledge of English and American literature isn’t just academic; it’s a living, breathing part of her classroom.

An alumna of SIU Carbondale, a notable institution for humanities, Scarbrough incorporates her collegiate experiences into her teaching methods. She challenges her students with exercises in brevity and expression, such as six-word memoirs, evolving to one hundred-word stories. Initially meant to be anonymous, these exercises led to an unexpected outcome: students proudly claimed their work, eager for authorship to be recognized. “They wanted other people to know what was theirs,” she reveals. This enthusiasm for ownership and expression is both heartening for Scarbrough and a testament to her influence.

When reflecting on her role, Scarbrough’s aspiration is clear: “I want to be a bright spot here.” And indeed, she is—a beacon that guides and inspires her students to value and wield their words with care and intention.