When I was getting ready to start the 8th grade, and I saw who my Advanced English teacher was going to be, I was not happy. At all. In fact, I got my mom to talk to my couselor to see if I could change teachers. I feel bad even writing this, and I hope I’ve come a long way since the 8th grade, but I’d heard some things about this teacher that made me not want to take her class. Yeah, I know…pretty judgmental.
But, the school wouldn’t let me change teachers since she was the only teacher who taught that class.
So, with a pretty bad 8th grade attitude, I went to 8th grade Advanced English.
And this teacher totally changed my life.
How?
Even though she knew I wasn’t happy to be in her class—at first, she taught me, she challenged me in both my thinking and in my writing, she encouraged me, she spent time helping me become a better writer, and she gave this very shy and quiet little 8th grade girl confidence. We dove deep that year into some pretty advanced literature, and I was writing 30 page, very complicated papers by the end of the year.
Not too far into the year, my whole perspective and attitude towards her changed. And I learned two very valuable lessons:
- Don’t judge others. Just don’t. Although I’m still working on this one and probably will be for the rest of my life.
- I can do hard things. I can do harder things than I ever imagined.
Because of this teacher, I learned how to put my thoughts into words.
Because of this teacher, the rest of my English classes throughout high school and college were so much easier, and I excelled and further developed my love for literature and writing.
Because of this teacher, I was able to help all of my kids with papers throughout their school years, and I was able to share my knowledge with them.
Because of this teacher, since most of what I do professionally involves writing of some kind, and since I also love writing my own stuff, I’ve been able to do what I love to do, hopefully help others through what I write, and feel fulfilled in what I think is one of my purposes in life.
So yes, I can literally say this teacher changed my life.
I’m so grateful I had to stay in Mrs. Crawford’s 8th grade Advanced English class.
Sometimes, what we don’t think we want is exactly what we need.
Which teacher changed your life? I’d love to hear the story!
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