A Shameful Memory

An unfortunate event in 9^th grade was the most significant event in my decision to become a teacher as I witnessed repeated harassment and bullying of a classmate at the end of Health class.  It remains my shame to this day that I did nothing to intercede to help my classmate who had his lunch money extorted from him many days. 

My parents raised me better than that.  They raised me to do the right thing.  And I chose to do nothing!  I could have said something to Bobby after class, even “Hey man, don’t let him bother you!”  At least he would have known that somebody noticed and somebody cared.  As it was I’m sure he felt all alone and that nobody cared. 

           

I could have said something to Greg, "Leave him alone.”  At least he would have known that somebody noticed and somebody cared that what he was doing was wrong.  I don’t know why I didn’t do something – let the teacher know, let my parents know – something.  I guess I was too immature; too selfishly minded; maybe I was just glad it wasn’t me.  It is shameful and to this day I carry that shame because I can’t go back and undo it and I can’t ever make it right.  I lost the opportunity to help someone who needed me and I’ll never have the chance again.  

           

I learned for the first time that not everyone was having a good school experience like me; I learned that for some students school was difficult and unpleasant.  What was revealed to me then was that if I became a teacher I could help students have better school experiences.  I made my decision at that moment.  

This is the memory that fueled my desire to become a teacher and it is the fuel that drives me today to make sure that every student has a good experience in school.  This is why we are investing so heavily in building a culture of leadership among our students.  One person can do a little.  One hundred can do a lot.  By developing leaders through Student Council, Jr. Beta Club, Student Leadership Academy, Peer Leaders, Student Mentors, Student Ambassadors, News Team Members, Basketball, Cheer and Dance Teams, SRP Council, and Special Education Buddies, we are creating a school culture that is kinder and more supportive of each other.  And that is the way it should be.

The Letter "B"

I had many wonderful teachers during my school career but my 1^st grade teacher Mrs. Wyles, may have planted the seeds for my becoming a teacher, when she turned my misunderstanding of a homework assignment into a remarkable experience. 

           

We were studying the letter “B,” and we were to find letter B words in the newspaper and magazines, and bring them to share the next day.  I misunderstood and thought we were to bring in “things” with the letter “B.”   So I went home and put all my toys, including what I thought was a sterling example of the “letter B” – my Bullwinkle Bubble Bath Bottle – into one of the large brown paper grocery bags that Mom saved and carried it to school the next day. 

           

Imagine my surprise when all my classmates had neat, tidy little envelopes full of letter “B” words.  Imagine my teacher’s surprise too!

           

Well, Mrs. Wyles obviously knew an overachiever when she saw one and made arrangements for me to go show my letter “B” objects to the kindergarten class down the hall.  Can you imagine how important I felt to be “teaching” younger children about the letter “B?”

           

I’m pretty sure that Mrs. Wyles was not trying to “reassign” me to that kindergarten class because she did allow me to return to her classroom.  At six years old I wasn’t thinking about career options yet, but I don’t doubt that Mrs. Wyles’ positive response to my misunderstanding powerfully affected my soul and was a very significant reason why I became a teacher.