One morning I was dropped off too early for school. So to kill time, I would wait in theteacher’s parking lot and match per car, per teacher. Just before I was getting ready to go to breakfast in the schoolcafeteria, I heard this loud car coming around the curb. I was curious to see what teacher would becoming out of an old beat up, crosscolored, loud and smoking van. Iwaited! This young hippy lookingteacher popped out of the passenger side of the van. He looked just like Michael Landon from Little House on thePrairie. He had long brown shaggy hair. He wore an old faded out pair of corduroypants and a striped long sleeve shirt folded at the sleeves. Although he didn't look too special, I keptgazing at him. He soon walked by me andwaived
I went on to breakfast and met up with one of my oldclassmates. We were pleased when werealized that we would be sharing another teacher together. The teacher's name was Don Peterson. I whispered to myself that I hoped hewouldn’t give too much homework. Sharonand I walked to the classroom together. Once I got to the door, that hippy looking teacher was standing by thechalkboard scribbling across it, Mr. Peterson.
came in and took a seat near the window. The class trickled in one by one. Soon the bell rung and we all stood up tosing the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr.Peterson introduced himself. He begantelling the story of when he first started teaching. His principal wanted every male teacher to wear a tie and niceslacks. He didn't feel his attire hadanything to with being a good teacher. He refused to wear the tie. Theprincipal insisted once again. The nextmorning Mr. Peterson came in with his tie on over his t-shirt. We all started laughing and laughing. At that time, I didn't understand what that story was about. But I knew how he felt. I felt the same thing with my parents and Iam sure the other kids did to. I waspersuaded to wear clothes I didn't want to wear many times. I liked him right away. He was just like me.
I didn’t talk too much back then. I didn’t like the new school. I was shy and felt that I was different from the kids I went to schoolwith. I pretty much stayed tomyself. I only participated in things Ihad to do like physical education, church plays and speeches for Easter. My performance was being judged and I didn’tlike it. Everyday, Mr. Peterson woulddivide the class into work groups. Eventually, I had to go to the reading group. Everyone in that groupwould have to read out loud while the other classmates listened. It was my turn. I knew I could read well, but I didn’t like the sound of my voiceand I felt uncomfortable. “Rowanna,it’s your turn,” he said. I hesitatedand looked up at him to see if he was annoyed. He smiled and I began to read. No one laughed. I made sure Iread with expression and feeling. Iasked questions at the question marks, I stopped at the periods, I madedifferent sounds with my voice while reading. Everyone was so quiet. Before Iknew it, I had read more than what was usually allotted. Mr. Peterson was so excited. He began to praise me and made many examplesof me to the other children. He wouldcall me to other reading groups to give an example. I felt special. Soon theother kids began to read with expression and feeling in their voices.
It wasn’t just me either. He gave this attention to everyone. Sharon was a good speller. Hepraised her as well and she entered the spelling bee that year. We were all proud of her. We wanted to spell as good as her. We wanted to please Mr. Peterson and he gaveus plenty of chances to do so. Laterthat year, Mr. Peterson held a readingcontest. Who ever read the most booksand passed the test quizzes on the books, would win. This was an extra curricular activity. The prize would be to spend a Saturday with his family going to the skating ring and havingpizza. Only four kids could go. I knew I had to be one of them. I did all my work on time and didn’t wastetime in between assignments. All myextra time went to reading for the contest. I came early to class and would sometime stay late. The reading was easy and I loved it. I went to the skating ring that year. It was the best! That same year Mr. Peterson talked me into joining a dance groupthat was starting up by the music teacher. I remember telling him that I didn’t dance. He was tickled, so I laughed. He picked 3 other girls to join the group and I decided not to miss outon the fun. We performed at manydifferent occasions that year and everyone recognized me from the dancegroup. I felt like a celebrity. I came out of my shell a lot that year. It was the beginning of the person I was soon to become.
-- Rowanna, Florida Atlantic University