Remember that time you tried to build a pillow fort so epic it reached the ceiling, only to have it come crashing down like a domino avalanche? Yeah, me neither. (Okay, maybe just a little.) But you know what does stick with you from childhood? The grown-ups who were there cheering you on, even when your fort-building skills were, shall we say, under construction. Those are your childhood mentors, and let me tell you, their impact is like glitter – it gets everywhere and never truly disappears.
In this article, we’ll dig into the awesome ways these special people shaped our dreams, taught us cool stuff (hopefully not how to build a fire indoors!), and helped us become the amazing humans we are today. So, grab your favorite snack, snuggle up, and get ready for a blast from the past that’ll leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and let’s dive into “From Doubt to Distinction: How Mentors Helped Me Thrive.”
- External Role Models: Shaping Young Minds
- How Teachers Ignited a Love of Learning
- Mentors: The Bridge to Student Potential
External Role Models: Shaping Young Minds
Think back to your childhood heroes. Were they all blood relatives? Probably not! While family plays a vital role, external role models, like teachers, coaches, community leaders, or even fictional characters, offer unique perspectives and experiences that can shape a child’s path in profound ways. The surprising impact these mentors can have, from igniting passions to fostering confidence, and why they’re more than just a bonus in a child’s development. Remember, sometimes, the greatest heroes wear capes made of kindness and wisdom, not just DNA.
A lot of my childhood was spent trying to fit in and hearing from various sources how I wasn’t smart enough, good enough, or came from the right background to accomplish anything. The one place encouragement came from was my mother, but it is hard to be speck of positivity in an ocean of self doubt and nasty comments. When it came to school, it was much easier for teachers to assume I was a problem child instead of trying to understand why my grades were low. Looking back now, I realize I may have had some kind of learning disability. At the very least, my vision was bad enough that I should have sat much closer to the board.
Suffice to say, that most of my elementary and middle school years I bought into the hype that I was stupid and unworthy, that I just wasn’t cut out for school. How could I be when I seemed to have a harder time grasping what others seemed to excel with. That would all change one year in 9th grade and How Mentors Helped Me Thrive.
How Teachers Ignited a Love of Learning
Ever felt like learning was a constant uphill battle? Imagine that struggle for a young student, their confidence waning with each misstep. But what if, just when hope seemed lost, a beacon of understanding appeared? There was one teacher who went above and beyond, building confidence in the classroom and igniting a love of learning for a struggling student. Get ready to witness the transformative power of dedication, personalized teaching, and unwavering belief, proving that every child has the potential to shine.
Mrs. Brown
There were teachers before Mrs Brown that sparked an interest in me wanting to learn. They knew how to spin a class to make it seem interesting but they did little to go beyond that. Mrs. Brown was a teacher who did not suffer fools in her class. In 8th grade, I was trying to fit in so that I would not stand out too much. I only worked hard enough to get just passing grades. I tried to fit in with the bad boy crowd. Mrs Brown saw in my work that I had understanding and challenged me. She was one of the first people that tried to spark the thought to grow beyond popularity. She knew the value of intellect. She taught me how science was the real world. She even gave me a summer job helping her and her husband on their farm. It gave her a chance to show me more science, like botany. She was one of my first role models.
Mr. Milton
Mrs Brown and a couple other teachers got me through middle school and helped start to change my views of who I was. What I didn’t know is that would only be the beginning of me finding out how smart I could be. Enter Mr. Milton. Mr Milton was a football coach, first and foremost and an Earth Science teacher second. He ran his classroom like a sports team. Lots of practice, studying, to perform well on game day – exams.
He was the first teacher that recognized some of my strengths and had me use them as a means to understand the material better. He created a lesson that was designed to teach us about ecosystems on our own planet. The lesson was to create a planet of our own imagination and give details of animals, plant life and how they interacted. Seeing me struggle, he pulled me aside and talked to me about all the science fiction he had seen me read. He discussed how I could break things down into small parts like one animal at a time, draw it out, describe how it eats, hunts, and such. This allowed me to see details that I had not before. I created a portfolio of all the creatures, their nervous and circulatory systems, pages of fauna on the planet and even images and descriptions of the different biomes. This allowed me to calm my brain down enough that I could start to piece the puzzle together. In the end, with his tutelage, I got an A+ on that project. It also helped that I had a crush on Mr. Milton and how could I not have. The man could fill out a pair of Levis jeans and had arms with thick muscles and veins running over them like a map of a complex multi-laned highway. I could stare at it for hours. Check out the Memorial article I read about him here, Mac Milton: In Memory of a Teacher.
Mr. Jarvis
So began my tenth grade year in school. Thanks to the previous two teachers, my confidence in my learning was growing. I started engaging with teachers to sit closer to the front of the class, so I could see better. My grades were improving and I thought this was where I was supposed to be. Little did I know that my new Biology teacher would push me even further. He had already talked to previous teachers and saw my improvement.
After the first month in class he told me he felt that I might be better served to take AP classes instead of basic classes. He suggested it to my guidance counselor and she fought it. She said I wasn’t smart enough for the classes and that I would fail. Mr Jarvis, the AP English, and AP History teachers all pushed for me to be moved to the AP block. I was not aware of this until I was asked if I wanted to be moved to that section. I was shocked. Of course I accepted.
He didn’t let up, once I started those classes. He pushed me to learn more, challenged me to create projects for his class and college prep. He taught me how to research and break down concepts into understandable blocks. He shows me how the scientific method could be used to analyze everything, even literature. He challenged me to not accept what was in front of me and work for more. To always be curious and to look for ways to improve a situation.
Mentors: The Bridge to Student Potential
Imagine a student standing on the precipice of potential, yearning to leap forward but lacking that crucial push. That’s where mentors step in, acting as bridges that connect students to academic success and personal growth. Those mentors support, empower, and ignite a passion for learning that goes beyond textbooks. Get ready to discover real-life stories of mentors making a tangible difference, statistics that highlight their impact, and practical tips on how to bridge the gap for students in your community. Remember, every child deserves a champion, and mentors hold the key to unlocking their full potential. So, join us on this journey to understand why mentors are more than just extras – they’re the game-changers in education!
I don’t know where I would be without those mentors in my life and at a crucial time where I needed them most. I was not used to teachers working with me to help me grow, I had been used to those that were more quick to pass judgment and move me along to the next grade or suffer to repeat, if necessary. What about you guys, are there any teachers or mentors that helped you become better, in your life? How did they help you and are you still in touch with them? Or are you the type of person who feels the only way to elevate yourself is through yourself? Let me know in the comments below. Thank you all for taking the time to share in my memories. It is because of you all that I have this amazing place to share my thoughts and stories with people who appreciate them. Thank you again.
Gay in the CLE 