Diverging Lines

Something happened last week as I worked a conference registration table.  A participant came by to retrieve her registration packet and I noticed that she had the same last name (Tusai) as a teacher who lit the fire within my heart for English instruction in the eighth grade.  After my eighth grade year, she left, and I never knew what happened to her.  When I commented to the participant that her name was similar to one of my favorite teachers, she replied, "She's my sister-in-law."  Tears filled my eyes as I realized just then what an impact this teacher had upon my life - even after 36 years, the compassion within my heart remained.

Then I reflected upon my ninth-grade year.  Mrs.Tutor ignited my love for Algebra I and math - something that I had struggled with in the 8th grade.  Because of Mrs. Tutor's positive influence in Algebra I, I completed Advanced math and Calculus before graduating from high school.  Two teachers who changed the course of my life still remain within my heart.

Fast-forward to 2007, the year my son graduated from high school.  His experiences in school were so different from mine.  Each year there was a struggle to get classroom teachers to accept him and foster his intellectual growth.  In seventh grade he was especially beaten down because I insisted that the principal place him in pre-Algebra (he absolutely adored math and up to this point, had the grades and scores to match his passion).  His teacher set her cap for him that year, and he was not successful.

--I trust God

How were our experiences with teachers so different?  Why does there exist a gulf between my success in school and his?

An educator can make you or break you.

I always chose to be a part of the construction crew.