I entered into the education system at the age of 4 at the West Orange Community House in West Orange, New Jersey. It was an intensified non-profit preschool program. Before going to preschool, I was filled with many different emotions such as excitement, but nervousness as well. Staying away from home for a long amount of time during the day was something I had never done before, so it was very scary, but I was ready. I remember my dad would drop me off every day and I would be sent to the cafeteria to eat breakfast. Every morning in that cafeteria, I would cry or at least be on the verge of tears. I guess I never told my parents because I bring it up to them now and they act surprised. They said I loved school and never gave them as much
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From 2nd grade to 5th grade, I attended Franklinton Elementary School in Franklinton, North Carolina. When I first started going to school at FES, I noticed that much of the material being taught I already learned last year. I was not sure if southern schools liked to do a lot of review or they literally were a year behind with their curriculm. Whichever one it was placed me back with the most advanced individuals of my peers. I finally enjoyed school once again. The North Carolina teachers were so warm and welcoming. I was very knowledgeable on the subjects I learned in 2nd grade which placed me in an advanced 3rd grade class. Most of my classmates were placed into the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program, so during the class day only me and a few other students would be left in the class while the others went to their AIG class. I felt as if I were missing out on a great opportunity that I qualified for. Many of the students were placed in the program during kindergarten, but I was not even living in North Carolina yet during that time, so I thought it was unfair that I was not even given the chance to test into the program. I built enough courage to talk to my mom about it who did eventually ask my teacher about it whose only remark was “Oh, Imani is too smart for the AIG program.” It did not make sense to me then and it still does not today. He was robbing me of a one in a lifetime opportunity. 3rd grade year was also the first time I took the End-Of-Grade (EOG) tests. Many older students complained about how hard this standardized test was which made me very nervous. The day came and it was not as hard as I thought it would be; I actually felt very confident afterwards. I got my results back and I passed the test with flying colors. This is when I was offered AIG placement for the following year which I kindly accepted. Throughout the rest of elementary, I did exceptionally
From 2nd grade to 5th grade, I attended Franklinton Elementary School in Franklinton, North Carolina. When I first started going to school at FES, I noticed that much of the material being taught I already learned last year. I was not sure if southern schools liked to do a lot of review or they literally were a year behind with their curriculm. Whichever one it was placed me back with the most advanced individuals of my peers. I finally enjoyed school once again. The North Carolina teachers were so warm and welcoming. I was very knowledgeable on the subjects I learned in 2nd grade which placed me in an advanced 3rd grade class. Most of my classmates were placed into the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) program, so during the class day only me and a few other students would be left in the class while the others went to their AIG class. I felt as if I were missing out on a great opportunity that I qualified for. Many of the students were placed in the program during kindergarten, but I was not even living in North Carolina yet during that time, so I thought it was unfair that I was not even given the chance to test into the program. I built enough courage to talk to my mom about it who did eventually ask my teacher about it whose only remark was “Oh, Imani is too smart for the AIG program.” It did not make sense to me then and it still does not today. He was robbing me of a one in a lifetime opportunity. 3rd grade year was also the first time I took the End-Of-Grade (EOG) tests. Many older students complained about how hard this standardized test was which made me very nervous. The day came and it was not as hard as I thought it would be; I actually felt very confident afterwards. I got my results back and I passed the test with flying colors. This is when I was offered AIG placement for the following year which I kindly accepted. Throughout the rest of elementary, I did exceptionally