Movin’ On Up
Have you ever had a teacher who prematurely judged you as a student? I mean, the way a teacher, without getting to know you or your abilities as a student, just assumes that you are “just like your sibling”.
My sophomore year of high school was the beginning of my “lack of confidence” path as a student. I had an assignment to write and orally present a 5 minute speech. The subject of the speech was left wide open. I chose alcoholism. I remember gathering a few facts from magazine articles, interviewing friends, and forming my own opinions from personal family experience. I thought I had some quality information and was prepared to share my speech with my classmates.
Now keep in mind that both of my sisters, Angela and Anita, were previous students in Mr. Rohan’s 10th grade English class. He was definitely familiar with …show more content…
I didn’t need to imagine my classmates in their underwear, like your typical speech preparedness rule. I felt pretty confident. As I began to talk, making eye contact with my friends and peers, I looked at Mr. Rohan and saw him clipping his fingernails. Seriously? Not only was that disgusting, but couldn’t he have at least given me his full attention? I started to doubt myself. Was what I was saying so completely boring? Why didn’t he give me the attention he gave to all the others who preceded me at this podium? “Another fact I learned about alcohol is that its addiction compares to that of heroin,” I stated. When I looked at Mr. Rohan, he rolled his eyes. I was mortified. I was sure that my information was correct and that my presentation was spot-on. I could feel my face heat up with embarrassment as my throat began to close. I managed to conclude my speech and make it back to my desk without tearing up. I have never spoken of this speech to anyone, nor had I the desire or will to ever stand at another
Have you ever had a teacher who prematurely judged you as a student? I mean, the way a teacher, without getting to know you or your abilities as a student, just assumes that you are “just like your sibling”.
My sophomore year of high school was the beginning of my “lack of confidence” path as a student. I had an assignment to write and orally present a 5 minute speech. The subject of the speech was left wide open. I chose alcoholism. I remember gathering a few facts from magazine articles, interviewing friends, and forming my own opinions from personal family experience. I thought I had some quality information and was prepared to share my speech with my classmates.
Now keep in mind that both of my sisters, Angela and Anita, were previous students in Mr. Rohan’s 10th grade English class. He was definitely familiar with …show more content…
I didn’t need to imagine my classmates in their underwear, like your typical speech preparedness rule. I felt pretty confident. As I began to talk, making eye contact with my friends and peers, I looked at Mr. Rohan and saw him clipping his fingernails. Seriously? Not only was that disgusting, but couldn’t he have at least given me his full attention? I started to doubt myself. Was what I was saying so completely boring? Why didn’t he give me the attention he gave to all the others who preceded me at this podium? “Another fact I learned about alcohol is that its addiction compares to that of heroin,” I stated. When I looked at Mr. Rohan, he rolled his eyes. I was mortified. I was sure that my information was correct and that my presentation was spot-on. I could feel my face heat up with embarrassment as my throat began to close. I managed to conclude my speech and make it back to my desk without tearing up. I have never spoken of this speech to anyone, nor had I the desire or will to ever stand at another