When I was in high school, I struggled. Just like any teenager trying to navigate life, I went through some difficult times. Between being a student, having a social life, spending time with family, and managing my future, I was overwhelmed. I spent a lot of time thinking that I was just not a “school person”. I would work for hours and see no results in my own work, shown by my less than adequate grades. I couldn’t seem to get the hang of the whole “school” thing it seemed like, that is, until one of my teachers explained to me that I CAN.
Dr. Rowe changed my perspective on my own worth and personal understanding, here’s how. One day, I was stressed out to say the least. My math grade was a complete war zone, anatomy was more than my brain could take, and don’t even think about Econ., it was a disaster too. English was my safe place, my home, and my relaxation time. But even then, that day, nothing seemed soothing. Dr. Rowe, my Junior year English teacher, recognized this and asked me to speak with her after class.
I explained my stressors, everything going on in my personal life, and how I couldn’t imagine getting myself out of this educational dark hole. She calmed my nerves, explaining that it’s okay to struggle sometimes. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed some days. Being perfect is not possible, not for anyone. She even laughed and explained that math and science were never her strong suit as well and that Economy thankfully never crossed her path. She explained to me that I can. I can do the best of my abilities in each class. I can take care of myself in order to keep going. I can focus on a bigger picture and at the same time, I can take things one step at a time. I can accomplish my dreams, however big or small they are. Getting myself into college and passing trigonometry.
I remember sitting there speaking with her and realizing that she was a human being just like me, one that understood my own struggles and even struggled with them at one point as well. Despite the fact that this woman has a near novel of accomplishments such as: a PhD, being a professor at Baylor University and University of Denver, living around the world, speaking multiple languages, etc.; Dr. Rowe was more than just my teacher that day, she was a mentor and almost a guardian angel to me. In a time where I felt like my world was caving in, Dr. Rowe showed me that even the most brilliant of minds, such as hers, were not perfect and that expecting perfect from yourself will only lead to disappointment. This woman gave me the power to take a breathe and realize that even with all of those things clouding my brain at the time, I can. I can do more than I was ever giving myself credit for.
Although this was a small moment in time in my life, it drastically changed me and my perspective on not only my own self, but teaching as well. I realized that day that teachers can be more than teachers. Teachers can change the lives of their students, just like Dr. Rowe did for me. They can uplift their students when they are down. Teachers can teach way more than just the class syllabus, they can teach valuable life lessons and skills that stay with their students even when they leave the classroom. Dr. Rowe taught me Junior year English, don’t get me wrong. However, she taught me that I’m not perfect and I shouldn’t expect perfect out of myself. She taught me that I am strong, that I can accomplish a lot, just like her. She showed me grace and let me see that she is more than just a teacher in high school, she’s a human being just like me. Truly, it was one of my biggest takeaways from high school and I thank Dr. Rowe for it.
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