Visual Essay

I believe….

“Your students don’t care what you know until they know that you care!’’

I believe...

I believe that….

 “Your students don’t care what you know until they know that you care!’’

So my senior year of high school, about two weeks into my second quarter, I was enrolled in two college courses  from the nearest community college, that were taught by my math teacher Mrs. Goodwill, whom I’d asked for help.  She came over to my desk to answer my question, she laughed at me in front of the entire class because I had asked a ‘’stupid’’ question. After class, she pulled me aside and apologized for laughing at me, then asked, ‘’isn’t your major going to be Secondary Math?’’ I shook my head yes, about to start crying. She told me that, ‘’Maybe you should reconsider your choice, because you don’t really grasp at the information.’’ I was so upset; I left the room thinking I was stupid, knowing I had a B in both courses while balancing cheerleading, student counsel, play practice, and babysitting my little sister.  From that point on I promised myself I would never ask for help from her ever again. About three weeks until graduation I received a letter in the mail stating that if my math grades were not brought up, then I would not graduate. I went to one of my friends from class, with the letter in hand, and he said he would help me so I could graduate.  I asked Mrs. Goodwill to write me a letter of recommendation to attend Edinboro University’s Education Program. She reluctantly agreed. The day before graduation, I went to pick up the letter. I didn’t even read it when she handed it to me. Instead I looked at it, knowing she was still watching me, I spit on it crinkled it up and threw it on the floor and said ‘’this is what I think of your opinion’’ and ran it over on the way out. Today, I have to have a field component for my SEDU 271 class, and I’m observing her teach next week.  She is 110 percent of the reason I want to be a teacher, she taught me exactly what not to do. I want to be there for my students. If a student has a question, I don’t want them to hesitate to ask. In my classroom there will be a ‘’There are no stupid questions policy.’’