Comment from Alexandra Trovato

Excellent

This is such an interesting story. It illustrates the perseverance of one teacher who kept the most difficult student's memory in her mind throughout her career. Too many people forget such students. Good for you! Best wishes!

 Comment Written 25-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Alexandra. I appreciate it so much. Yes, I love my students so much, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. I try to keep my students in mind--even when I may not remember all their names, I still see their faces. They're my "why" when I'm asked why I became a teacher: my kids. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from kiwisteveh

Excellent

Hi, Amber, and a belated welcome to FanStory. I hope you are finding plenty to like here.

I enjoyed the passion and commitment to teaching that shines through in your autobiographical piece. I am a teacher too and well used to spotting those students with potential, but whose character traits tend to lessen their chances of ever getting the one on one approach that might help them succeed.

I wonder if you missed a chance in your story to tell the reader just a little more about what happened to your title character. You seem to jump from your determination in the face of a supervisor's comments to gaining a position in a different school. As the centrepoint of your tale, surely Mauricio a little more?

Good luck in the contest.

Steve

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Steve. I appreciate it so much, and I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. Thank you for the welcome. I love it here, and I'm learning so much as I improve and strengthen my craft.
Unfortunately, after he graduated 8th grade in 2016 and I switched schools in 2018, I lost contact with Mauricio. I often think about him, but I don't know what happened to him. I hope and pray he's living his best life, surrounded by people who love and appreciate him.
It's terrific "meeting" another teacher on this site. What subjects and grades do you teach? I hope things are going well for you as we prepare to return to school. I start August 14th.
Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

reply by kiwisteveh on 28-Jul-2023

Hi, Amber. I've actually finished my full-time teaching career which started teaching French in New Zealand, then to Singapore for 8 years teaching English and Lit. After that another twelve years in Australia teaching various subjects including Drama, Geography, Science, Maths, Computer Studies, but mainly English again and Social Studies!
I'm back home in New Zealand now and generally spend 2 o 3 days per week relieving in local Secondary Schools - just this week I found myself standing in as a Music Teacher and a PE Teacher!
Our school year starts at the end of January. Right now it is mid-winter and we are at the start of Term 3 (of 4 10-week terms)
Good luck for the start of your year. I see some teachers on Twitter appealing for donations so they can stock their classrooms for the new school year - I hope you don't find yourself in that situation. I wondered if it was common!
Steve

reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Wow! Sounds like you've had a very productive teaching career--a true jack-of-all-trades. Ah, I see; what counts as summer break in New Zealand? My school gives teachers an allowance that we can use to buy classroom supplies. I'll be setting mine up next week. Afterward, we have a week of mandatory teacher training and an Open House before classes start on August 14th. I'm both looking forward to it and bummed that my summer break is ending, which is a typical mixture for me now.

reply by kiwisteveh on 28-Jul-2023

Summer break here would start between 10th-15th December and end in the last week of January - six weeks basically, spread around Christmas and New Year.

Comment from Loretta Bigg

Excellent

Very nice story with a very good moral. The only sentence I would change is "Because of dad." It sounds like you had to make the decision to got back to school because something bad happened to him. Thanks to dad would work if you mean he helped to pay. Otherwise, good stuff.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Loretta. I appreciate it so much and your grammar suggestion. I'm always looking for ways to improve and strengthen my writing. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Ginda Simpson

Excellent

What a beautiful story this is. You prove that teaching is not a job, but a passion, a mission and how lucky was Mauricio to have you to help him discover his potential. I was horrified, as you were, by the administrator who suggested you forget about him. Bless you. Keep teaching...

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Ginda. I appreciate it so much. Yes, teaching for me is a passion and calling, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is a very inspiring story about your teaching career and that pivotal moment when Mauricio was discounted as not worthy of attention. It obviously turned you from a very good teacher to an excellent and highly committed one. Well done and good luck in the contest. A strong contender I would think. Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Debbie. I appreciate it so much. I'm always striving to improve my skills to support my students as best as possible. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

That is awful. That a teacher would be that quick to give up on a child. Having an autistic and dyslexic grandson, I know how horrid it is for the child. My son managed to get him into a special school and he's coming on leaps and bounds. We are so proud of him. I'm so very pleased you didn't give up on that young lad. I hope he went on to become everything that head teacher thought he couldn't. Well done! Good luck in the contest. :) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Sandra. I appreciate it so much. I'm thrilled to hear about your son and grandson. I wish both all the best. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. I'll never give up on them. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from BermyBye50

Exceptional

A. Myers,

This is an exceptional entry in the For Teachers Only contest. In my opinion it is the winner. You tell a compelling story of exactly what the role of a teacher is and should be. Your one on one approach to helping Mauricio after hearing what the Coach said about him is symbolic of epitome of who and what a teacher is in the lives of their students.

All the best in the contest,

Eugene

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Eugene. I appreciate it so much. Yes, I love my students so much, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from JSD

Excellent

Absolutely. That's what it's all about. I too fought for students that others rejected and was vindicated so many times, especially when I was teaching Drama, a subject chosen by those who didn't know what else to do. Thank you for sharing this.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, JSD. I appreciate it so much. Yes, I love my students so much, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. I'll never give up on them, and I'm thrilled to know neither will you. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Jane Jane King

Excellent

Beautifully told story. Teachers who understand and care about and strongly advocate for their students are a rare species and the most precious resource those kids will ever have. God bless you for the love and support that you've given.

 Comment Written 24-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Jane. I appreciate it so much. Yes, I love my students so much, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Soledadpaz

Exceptional

It sounds like the students you tutored fed off your love of teaching and became eager to learn. What a feeling of accomplishment that must have been.

How lucky that Mauricio had you for a teacher, someone who believed in him and fought for him. It sounds like he made an impact on your life, as I'm sure you did on his. I hope you go on to write your stories and share their inspiration with the world.

Sol

 Comment Written 23-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 28-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Sol. I appreciate it so much. Yes, I love my students so much, and I'm thrilled it comes through in my story. I've taught several "Mauricios," and they've all become near and dear to my heart, especially a kindergartener I taught two years ago. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D