Natural Gift–not usually known by its owner
I had an ISU student that I had 4 years ago as a biology and English high school student come by my office today. She had studied abroad (England) and will be working in France, teaching English this fall! While we didn’t have a whole lot of time to talk, she did mention that it was a comment that I made to her her senior year in high school that encouraged her to pursue a career in English. I do remember this, but didn’t know it was that much of a turning point for her in her own life.
When I was a high school student I had a photography teacher pull me aside, and tell me that I had a natural gift for composition, and an understanding of basic photography, that others in my class did not have. I was so surprised. If it had not been for her taking that moment out of her day, to let me know this, I would have thought that everyone had the same skills I had, because it came naturally to me. I guess, this is what I did for this former student. I pulled her aside, and let her know that her writing and insight to literature, was above someone her own age, and wondered if she’d ever considered “going into” the field of English. Apparently, until then, she didn’t even know how far advanced her answers were to her peers. I am just so pleased that I was able to do for another student, what a teacher had done for me!
Most of us (teachers) assume our students can see with the clarity we have. But they don’t. So when I see those moments…I seize them! Its just nice that every once in a while, a student comes back to say “Thanks!”
Also…if you have had a teacher influence you in this way, please let them know!
