THOMASVILLE — An epiphany in middle school illuminated Cole Donovan’s career path.

“I decided in seventh grade that I wanted to teach English,” he said. “I was in Mrs. Robin Cartright’s English class, and it suddenly occurred to me that I could make money doing the things I love the most: reading and writing about literature.”

Donovan was valedictorian of the TCCHS Class of 2016. Now 23, and possessing a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Georgia and a master’s from the University of Chicago, he returns to his alma mater as an English teacher alongside many former instructors.

“It’s a little surreal,” Donovan said of being on the other side of the lesson. “I still can’t bring myself to call some of them by their first names. But it’s a good sort of surreal.”

And these teachers — now peers — inspired Donovan’s desire to return to TCCHS as a member of their rank.

“As a student at TCCHS, I had the privilege of learning from many incredible teachers,” he said. “Even then, I understood that the teachers at TCCHS are invested not only in their students but in an authentic intellectual project. The teachers I studied with were scholars – they demonstrated genuine academic interest and love of continued learning. I think that is what attracted me the most.”

He teaches ninth grade Literature and 11th grade American Literature.

“In both classes, we are working on literary theory,” Donovan said. “I like to give my students different avenues of understanding. What works for one student may not work for another, so hopefully, our study of theory hits on something for everyone.”

A favorite question asked by his students is, “‘why do we have to learn about these books?” And Donovan appreciates how his answer is always evolving.

“I think of literature as primarily a study of thought,” he said. “Sure, there are the kinds of ‘mechanistic’ details that we need to learn to discuss the texts, but those details are all working together to get a specific thought across. I believe studying thought is the most powerful way to think.”

The primary teaching goal Donovan has is to open the literary door for every student.

“So many students come into my room thinking literature isn’t for them,” he said. “They don’t like to read; they don’t like poetry, etc. etc. My goal is to get that door open, even if it’s just a crack. Literature can be for everyone; some people just need to be shown the entrance.”

And this goal links to what he feels is the vital lesson literature teaches everyone.

“The most important lesson to be learned from literature is the beauty of thought,” he said. “It also happens to be the most difficult aspect to convey. It’s hard to tell someone why something is beautiful. But now and then, you can see it on a student’s face. They suddenly ‘get’ it, and it becomes meaningful, becomes beautiful.”

It hasn’t been long since Donovan roamed the TCCHS hallways as a member of the student body, but while some things stay the same, the approach differs.

“Being a high school student is one of those things that is always changing and always staying the same,” he said. “They still have the same problems, the same worries that we had; they just have different media to express those thoughts. I’ve only been out of high school for four years, and the media they consume and produce is already completely foreign to me. So yeah, they teach me a lot about those kinds of things.”

And the current age of remote learning through virtual platforms is a necessary adjustment to the self-professed old-schooler.

“I’ve always been a little old school,” he said. “When I imagined myself being a teacher, I rarely considered the use of technology. Give me a book, a pen, and some paper. But now that I am forced to adapt, I think I am beginning to come around. I just want to make sure the technology elevates rather than replaces the lessons.”

Mentor Jillian Perry said Donovan is proving to be a promising addition to the TCCHS English Department.

“Cole is extremely creative and seeks to use dynamic methods in the classroom,” she said. “His young energy rubs off on his students, encouraging them to rise to the challenge he offers.”

Freshman Vernesha Proctor, 14, calls Donovan a nice teacher who knows how to laugh while making sure his students do their work. She finds both Donovan and his class interesting.

“He is a kind-hearted teacher who cares for all…students,” she said. “He makes literature fun in a way that other teachers can’t. He is one of my favorite teachers.”

Proctor’s favorite assignment thus far is writing a letter to her senior year self.

“I can’t wait to read it as a senior,” she said.

Freshman Jaydon Fleming, 14, believes Donovan is a great teacher with a refreshing approach to capturing his students’ interest. 

“The way he interacts with his students is different than most,” Fleming said. “He is inclusive with them and works with everyone. He is willing both to have fun and say be quiet and do your work. I would love to know what his favorite book is.”

His favorite book continually changes, but Donovan said one novel he always returns to is “Moby Dick.”

“(Herman) Melville’s story captures the American psyche so thoroughly that it is almost indescribable,” he said. “The entirety of the American experiment is held hostage on the ship Pequod, and the results are often breathtaking.”

Though Donovan, who just married his wife Hailey on Oct. 2, feels being an English teacher who loves to read is a bit cliché, he owns it.

“My apartment is crammed full of books,” he said. “It’s gotten so bad that most of my decorations are just books placed on various coffee tables and end tables.”