Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

You have the same attitude as me - I would never leave any student behind. I would "find another way", and do whatever it took. Thank you for sharing your teaching journey - and for making a difference to all the Mauricios you came into contect with. Best wishes for the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Wendy. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. I have come in contact with several Mauricios, and they're all near and dear to my heart. Working with them has been great for me as it's reinforced the "no one size fits all" mindset. Each child is different. Last year one of my third-graders didn't understand a math problem, and I needed to think of ten different ways to explain it before she felt confident to work it out. It was challenging, but I admired her resolve and how she kept coming to me until she understood. I made sure to praise her during her parent-teacher conference. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Jumbo J

Exceptional

Hi Amber,
I am Mauricio... well not by name, just the boy left behind academically. I would have loved a teacher such as yourself... and I'm sure there are a lot out there.

I understand the reward you have from seeing breakthroughs as young minds bloom and flourish.

I moved around a fair bit in my early years and had maybe, five different schools before I was eight years old. I have battled dyslexia all my life and didn't get to read my first real book until I was thirty-two. So I am a work in progress to a relative new world of comprehension, and when I look back at all the missed opportunities from being left behind I feel sad for that little tyke.

Thank God there are teachers out there like yourself that do care, that do go the extra mile to see their student achieve.

All the very best in this contest Amber, I enjoyed reading your story very much.

With our thoughts we create...
a path to possibilities.

Kind regards,
James.

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, James. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Wow, five schools before you were eight? That's hard. I have dyslexia, too--in the form of learning disabilities, but they allow me to channel my experiences, so I can reach students that may learn and retain information the same way I did. I wish more teachers went the extra mile for their kiddos. It's natural to ensure all my students are cared for and learning to the best of their abilities. It's unfortunate whenever I meet a jaded instructor. I pray I never slip down that path. Did any of your teachers help you, or were you just moved through the system? Hopefully, you had the former. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Lisasview

Excellent

Good morning from hot and sunny Spain,
Teaching is so wonderful and to change even one persons life is amazing!
This past week my husband and I volunteered Zaragossa to help students, mainly over 30 years old learn English.
We both loved it...so we understand the feeling one gets from teaching.
Lisasview, new to this site

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Lisaview. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this story. Teaching is a wonderful profession, and I'm grateful I pursued this career. It's been life-changing, and I always look for new ways to improve and grow. That's awesome! Zaragossa sounds amazing, and I'm sure those students appreciated your support. Thank you again for reading and commenting. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Excellent

I have never worked as a teacher. I'm a software engineer, only work part-time now. I can see the joy of teaching from your essay. Making friends with many interesting kids can be very rewarding.

Well done.

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Jasmine. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Yes, teaching creates much joy, and we meet several interesting people. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from nancy_e_davis

Excellent

Good for you. I love your attitude about your students and teaching. Our children are the future and they deserve teachers like you. Fire the coach! LOL Good job. Nancy:)

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Nancy. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Yes, teaching creates so much joy. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from JT traveller

Excellent

Funny how one person can change your perspective. A wonderfully composed piece of prose. You clearly chose the correct profession for you. Your story gave both hope and enlightened me on the struggles of teaching. Thank you. Jacqueline

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Jacqueline. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Yes, teaching creates much joy and struggles, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

It's very sad to know that a trusted position in a school finds it acceptable to forget a child. I realize not every child will be saved but you can't write them off. You sound like a teacher who is in tune with her students. Beautifully moving. Gretchen

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Gretchen. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Yes, I do aim to connect with each of my students in one way or another. Many times there are students that I'm closer to than others, but I work hard to ensure they all know they are loved and cherished, no matter their actions. I wouldn't trade my career for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Excellent. A+
It's too bad that you couldn't teach what you were trained for. That part doesn't make sense. Train to be a plumber and get hired to do brain surgery.
Yay for Mauricio! And yay for you!
Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Wayne. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Yes, my first four years were in middle school, but now I'm an elementary teacher. I love it so much and wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Julie G1

Excellent

Well done, a story of faith and literacy working for the writer, worthy goals. This tale conveys a succinct and apt message, with evocative imagery and a great choice of vocabulary. Keep on inspiring your students, and keep on writing.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Teaching creates much joy, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Bill Schott

Excellent

This story, Because of Mauricio, is one of those great stories I hear about the day the job became the calling and the students, instead of customers, became an extended family. Neat.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. That is exactly how I view teaching--it's a calling and a passion for me. My students are my babies--even though I would never call them that to their faces. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D