When I was a child I had a terrible time adjusting to school and learning how to read. I was a very anxious, frightened student, afraid I think, of leaving home for fear perhaps that my home wouldn’t be there when I returned from school or that my parents would be lost. Perhaps all this was because there was so much economic and emotional upheaval in our household and I never could feel the floor steady beneath my feet.
But I definitely was too anxious to be able to learn how to read. What saved my life, what changed it, was a wonderful teacher who, recognizing my problem, would stay after school with me day after day for months giving me special coaching. What she did was to create an island of peace around us so that I could finally calm down and think more clearly and take in what she was trying to show me. She made me feel that I was capable and that I could learn to read if I would keep trying and be patient with myself. She made me feel so special and worthwhile — how could I fail?
And surely, slowly, step by tiny step, I learned how to sound out the letters and put them together as they became words that made sense to me. And, in time, I became a very good, commited reader. In fact, I couldn’t put a book down — it became my venue of escape to better, happier, more interesting worlds.
In time, too, I became the student who each year would help and coach other students who had learning difficulties. My teacher had taught me patience and to believe that everyone is capable of learning if things are carefully explained and we create a good atmosphere of acceptance for students.
I later grew up to become a newspaper editor, an author of many books, and today I teach and tutor many people of all ages who need help. Yet, I still have the image of myself as that struggling young student.
So I ask you to think about a teacher in your own life — whether it is someone you studied with at school or someone who befriended you at work or in your life and taught you some of the things which you need to know and which helped strengthen you in your life. Tell us about the person and how she or he helped you.
This is the way we pay respect to our great teachers, by remembering and honoring them. Please share your memories with us.
My mother always told me I could accomplish anything i tried. even from when I was five she was right! Not that she or me ever doubted it! So This is for Mother! THANKS!