The Difference a Teacher Can Make

The Difference a Teacher Can Make

Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to
be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. Remarkably, he could
read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. He
had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade
to grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a
twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was
in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his
eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his
homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart
would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for
failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he
did not study.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh
grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests,
and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His
heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped
alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his
alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one
knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly,
Steve never missed a day of school.

One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

"Steve!!" Startled, he turned to look at her.

"Pay attention!"

Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as
she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy,
and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated,
pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching
his face.

"...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!"

She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look.
Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even
as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.

"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.

"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing fazed him.

"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.

"Steve! Please! I care about you!"

Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared about him? Someone,
totally unattainable and perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM??!!"

Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking
into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed
out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering!
He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter,
a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his
schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited
for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle
and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to
turn on him. It did not.

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve
hurried through the test, and was the first to hand in his paper.
With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously
puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk,
his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn't
resist another look at the lovely woman.

Miss White's face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then
down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The
smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home
remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not
only could he learn, but he was good at it! He discovered that he
could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate
the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel! And
he continued this course throughout his school life.

After high-school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a
successful military career. During that time, he met the love of
his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna
Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people,
who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began
a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others,
as an adjunct professor in a nearby college.

Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed
many lives. I know, because I am the love of his life.

You see, it's simple, really. A change took place within the heart
of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

© Jaye Lewis, 2003