Chapter 1
Paragraphs of Page 15
I remember the teacher’s assistant saying that I needed to know the information at this point in my academic career. It created anxiety for me. Even kids in the special education class were already reading. I realized that I was in a hole. The other kids could write and read faster than I could. I felt more made fun of by the teacher’s assistant than the other students. I was the black sheep among the other learners.
I know that I am worth something. I know that people work within their power. Some don’t know how to discover their power. I can redo an engine. I can fix most anything mechanical. Each of us must step out of the comfort zone and ask for help. Find a mentor that has overcome similar challenges and challenge yourself toward a clear goal. Accept that the process is baby steps. Move consistently at your own pace. Pick up the pace as you can. Refuse comparisons that make you feel slow. Use comparison to realize that you can achieve because others have achieved in their power.
I remember the teacher’s assistant saying that I needed to know the information at this point in my academic career. It created anxiety for me. Even kids in the special education class were already reading. I realized that I was in a hole. The other kids could write and read faster than I could. I felt more made fun of by the teacher’s assistant than the other students. I was the black sheep among the other learners.
I know that I am worth something. I know that people work within their power. Some don’t know how to discover their power. I can redo an engine. I can fix most anything mechanical. Each of us must step out of the comfort zone and ask for help. Find a mentor that has overcome similar challenges and challenge yourself toward a clear goal. Accept that the process is baby steps. Move consistently at your own pace. Pick up the pace as you can. Refuse comparisons that make you feel slow. Use comparison to realize that you can achieve because others have achieved in their power.
Chapter 2
Paragraph of Page 19
If I could go back, I would educate that teacher’s assistant to the fact that every learner is different. A blind person may not be able to see, but they are better at using their other senses than a person that relies on sight. I have the potential and strong ability in other things that the average person may not be able to do. I have a more intense because I did not have the reading to rely on. I still have trouble with reading, but I can get by. The experience lowered my self-esteem as a child though I did not realize it. My confidence was lowered because I could not keep up with my classmates. My mother always told me to keep going even as she was hard on me. She did not want me to lose hope in myself. I would often be frustrated and cry.
If I could go back, I would educate that teacher’s assistant to the fact that every learner is different. A blind person may not be able to see, but they are better at using their other senses than a person that relies on sight. I have the potential and strong ability in other things that the average person may not be able to do. I have a more intense because I did not have the reading to rely on. I still have trouble with reading, but I can get by. The experience lowered my self-esteem as a child though I did not realize it. My confidence was lowered because I could not keep up with my classmates. My mother always told me to keep going even as she was hard on me. She did not want me to lose hope in myself. I would often be frustrated and cry.
Chapter 3
Paragraphs of Page 23
My sarcastic Math teacher would read grades out in front of class until she was cursed by one of the parents. The students never made fun of me on their own. But the teachers were critical and constantly compared me to other students. They created an environment where I was laughed at as the butt of their jokes. As an adult, I know that a person can be genuine, direct, and hold you to a standard without being opinionated, judgmental, and sarcastic. Ridicule does not need to be a part of the interaction. The main teacher and the teacher’s aid fed off each other. The students would feed off their sarcasm and joking at the expense of other students. I was happy to see the main teacher retire. I wondered who the new teacher for the new year would be. I felt that any teacher would be better than her. She maintained an uneasy classroom. I was relieved to arrive in class any day and see a different teacher—even a substitute. I would get made fun of by kids for being a geek.
My sarcastic Math teacher would read grades out in front of class until she was cursed by one of the parents. The students never made fun of me on their own. But the teachers were critical and constantly compared me to other students. They created an environment where I was laughed at as the butt of their jokes. As an adult, I know that a person can be genuine, direct, and hold you to a standard without being opinionated, judgmental, and sarcastic. Ridicule does not need to be a part of the interaction. The main teacher and the teacher’s aid fed off each other. The students would feed off their sarcasm and joking at the expense of other students. I was happy to see the main teacher retire. I wondered who the new teacher for the new year would be. I felt that any teacher would be better than her. She maintained an uneasy classroom. I was relieved to arrive in class any day and see a different teacher—even a substitute. I would get made fun of by kids for being a geek.