The First Day of Class, Essay Example

The story told by the professor the first day of class was the story of a young, lost teen. At the age of 13 she was involved with a gang and certain that no one cared about her. Her parents and most of her teachers had already given up on her. My professor reached out to this student, invited her to participate in a group where she would be heard and encouraged. The student checked it out and her self-image, attitude and grades all improved.

One of the points from this story that just blew me away was that this girl was only 13 years old and the teachers had given up on her. Perhaps the parents are from poor economic backgrounds, place a lower importance on education, or participate in gang or criminal activity themselves. Maybe they simply don’t know how to reach out to their daughter or where to get help. The job of a teacher is not simply to stand in front of the class and teach the material laid out, but to develop productive and constructive citizens of society. No teacher should look at a 13 year old child and wash their hands of them.

In the professor’s story, the short term effects of the teacher’s intervention were an improved self-image, better attitude, and greater effort towards schoolwork. It is possible that the professor’s influence may have changed this girl’s life. The path she was on would most likely have led to her not graduating, to living her life in poverty, even death. With the professor’s intervention, she may go to college.

For me this story was very inspirational. Teenagers like this are found in all schools, inner city, suburban and rural. Even in the elementary schools there are children that do not get the focus and examples they need from family at home. I hope I remember this story so it reminds me that every child, no matter how difficult, needs guidance. Every child needs someone to look at them and see the possibilities. I hope that I become a strong enough teacher to follow the professor’s example in my own career.