Thanks, Miss B

There comes a time in every ones life when someone has a great impact on an individual's success. My second grade teacher, Miss B, was one of those people. Our relationship, that is the teacher/student relationship, enhanced the summer going into my third grade year. In other words, what could have been a traumatic experience was lessened by my summer with Miss B.

She was not only my second grade teacher, but she was also my tutor. She would come to my house, we would sit on my porch and she would tutor me in math, science, and reading. Miss B. was a major component in my acceptance of having to repeat the third grade. I was able to accept and acknowledge my learning difficulties because of the support.

Throughout the summer we would continue the tutoring sessions and I would show progress in the reviewed material. I simply thought that the tutoring sessions were taking place because I had to improve on my school subjects. I was committed to investing extra time in my studies because my family insisted I follow through with the summer sessions.

The summer ended and I began third grade and still experienced academic problems. In the third grade I was officially diagnosed with a learning disability. I was informed for my well-being I was to repeat third grade. Ironically, as an adult I found out later that I was supposed to stay back in second grade but socially it would have been a difficult adjustment.

When I look back on when I was told that I had to stay back I was able to adapt to the news. I think that the relationship I built with Miss B. allowed me to not get upset at the news. I was a loved and supported child and I did not look at myself as a failure. She allowed me to complete the transition. Looking back I was able to socially adapt because I did not blame myself. Miss B. would not allow me to blame myself. She made it quite clear that we were a partnership for the summer and into the future. This partnership gave me a foundation to know that I was worth something. If Miss B. did not give me reassurance as a child I would have not made it as a successful student and person. This transition allowed me to learn more effectively in school and life. I considered repeating the same grade as a means to double my friends with a whole new class. I did not see myself as a hopeless child unable to perform academically at my grade level.

The relationship that built between teacher/student assisted in strengthening my school subjects and my validity as a person. It helped for my teacher to see me in my home life and acknowledge me as an individual. Miss B. viewed me as a child worthy of helping in order to succeed in life. Although I was never told, I always knew that people were trying to help me succeed in school. I always respected people giving up their time to assist me in learning.

I learned from this experience that teachers should see their students as individuals and allot them the same time and encouragement that Miss B. gave to me. If the child does not comprehend material the foundation of knowledge will be inconsistent. The teacher/student relationship is a building block for success. If students are not given a solid foundation for learning, it will be a struggle. Miss B. respected my learning process and understood how information connected for me. If Miss B. was not there in the transition I would have been negatively impacted as a student and a person. Miss B's commitment to teaching reaffirmed that a good teacher affects the student in a positive manner--in the classroom and in life. --Thanks