Final answer:
Ryan likely means that English teachers act as 'gatekeepers' in shaping students' learning environments and academic outcomes, potentially influencing their self-perceptions and future. They possess substantial authority to determine curriculum content, communication styles, and the inclusion of diverse literatures and languages, which can affect students' success and self-esteem.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Ryan refers to English teachers as 'gatekeepers,' she is likely pointing out that English teachers have a significant role in shaping the learning environment and determining the academic success of their students. They are seen as guardians of language, literature, and critical thinking skills. This can involve decisions about what literature to include in the curriculum, what language skills are emphasized, and how to address the diverse communication styles of students. The linear and transactional communication models mentioned point out differences in communication styles that can cause misunderstandings in a diverse classroom. Moreover, educators like English teachers wield considerable influence over their students' self-perceptions, as evidenced by Iversen's account in High School Confidential, where a teacher's negative label can adversely affect a student's self-esteem and future aspirations.
Furthermore, the discussion on foreign language education highlights the importance of educators being equipped to address the needs of a multicultural and multilingual student body. As 'gatekeepers,' English teachers are positioned to either support a broader, inclusive education that embraces foreign languages and diverse communication styles, or potentially to inhibit student growth through standardized and potentially culturally biased methods of teaching. Peterson's views on the danger of cutting foreign language instruction and the impact it has on enriching students' education is relevant in highlighting the role teachers play in shaping policy and educational outcomes.