One Woman, One Summer, One Life-Changing Decision

posted 4th October 2011    Written by: Ashley    CATEGORY: All Posts, Ashley, Life Lesson, Season 5, What I've Learned

One day in 7th grade, my math teacher, Mrs. Taylor, pulled me aside and asked if I would be interested in having a math tutor over the summer.

I’m pretty sure my thought process was something along the lines of, “What? Me, being tutored? You can’t be serious? I’m like the perfect student! All A’s, I promise!”

What I didn’t realize was that Mrs. Taylor had noticed a little spark inside me. She saw potential where I saw normalcy. She recognized that I was not being challenged in class and was offering to come to my house twice a week over the summer to help me skip a level and enter the “advanced” class in the fall.

With a little encouragement from my parents, I agreed. Mrs. Taylor and I spent over 30 hours together that summer sitting at the kitchen table where she taught me how 2x+y=3.

I remember thinking that it wasn’t the most exciting way to spend my summer, especially since my friends were off at camp and spending weeks at the beach. I wanted to be doing that too, of course, but I didn’t mind tutoring (too much). I felt important and special to be working with Mrs. Taylor. She had chosen me, she wanted to help me.

When 8th grade rolled around, I walked into Algebra class feeling confident and prepared. Our school was on a “looped system” which means that all the teachers I had in 7th grade, I would have again in 8th grade, so it was reassuring to see Mrs. Taylor standing at the front of the classroom. I knew that if I had questions or was stuck on a problem, she would help me because she wanted me to do well.

That summer Mrs. Taylor did more than teach me math. She taught me that I was valued, smart, and worthy of success. She taught me that working hard can move you forward and that even though I didn’t really like math, I was actually pretty good at it. I learned that being tutored and getting extra help doesn’t mean you aren’t smart and it doesn’t make you any less of a person, but shows that you have initiative and drive, and that you want to better yourself.

It has been over 13 years since I have seen Mrs. Taylor, but I think about her constantly. I doubt she knows what a huge impact she has made on my life and I wish I knew how to get in touch with her. Until then, I am doing my best to pass along the lessons and values I learned that summer to other girls.

Being a counselor puts me on the front lines, standing next to these girls as they struggle to believe they are good enough, and as they fight against a society who tells them they can’t. Part of my role is to help them stay in school, maintain or improve their physical health, and learn to make healthy decisions regarding their future, sex, marriage, and family.

It can seem overwhelming when we look around and see how many young girls are struggling with education, poverty, HIV, and motherhood, but we can’t let that stop us. We can still do something.

One woman, one summer, one decision changed my life.

One person can make all the difference.

What are you doing to help? Join Girl Effect to find out how you can get involved. You can also read many more posts on the Girl Effect here.

[photo credit: dtcchc]

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Comments (11)

11 Responses to “One Woman, One Summer, One Life-Changing Decision”

  • Peter Says:
    October 4th, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Mrs. Taylor would be ridiculously proud of how awesome you've turned out.

  • KristenCF Says:
    October 4th, 2011 at 9:06 am

    Isn't amazing to think what a difference one teacher can make? Mine was 7th grade too– Mr. Auclair in social studies. He helped me love history, reading, and research even more and gave me extra assignments over the summer to feed my research appetite.

  • laurenne_s Says:
    October 4th, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I got the chills! Isn't it so sweet and weird to realize that one person can change the rest of our lives? It's CRAZY! I think I love Mrs. Taylor.

  • Susan Hall Says:
    October 4th, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Ashley, I've been following your posts here and I am so impressed every time I read your thoughts. As a former Language Arts teachers, I can say your writing is excellent, but the thought behind the words is even more impressive. You have a lot wisdom at 26 years of age and I am happy to see you sharing it in this way. Keep it up, girl!
    Maybe this piece will find it's way to Mrs. Taylor. Nothing means more to a teacher than words like these.

  • Amber Says:
    October 4th, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    What a neat story!! This is such a great post, Ashley!

  • Dusti Arab Says:
    October 6th, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    It's too bad we don't see more teachers like this. They are under so much pressure, and yet they can't make enough money to pay their bills. Here's to great teachers who really do change lives.

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    October 7th, 2011 at 5:08 am

    I know, Dusti! So many of my friends are teachers and talk about how it can be overwhelmed and there is never enough time. I am so grateful that I had Mrs. Taylor in my life; everyone deserves a teacher like her.

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    October 7th, 2011 at 5:09 am

    Thank you, Susan. I really appreciate you comment; it means a lot. I'm glad you're following along too! :)

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    October 7th, 2011 at 5:09 am

    She was so awesome. I really wish I knew how I could contact her again!

  • superawesomeashley Says:
    October 7th, 2011 at 5:10 am

    That is so awesome that you had a teacher who took special interest to help you learn too. Gah, I love these stories!

  • Jessica Says:
    October 19th, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    Good for you!!! What a wonderful post.

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