Was it you?
December 29, 2015
Was it you?
By Justine Deutschlander, AmeriCorps Promise Fellow serving at A.I. Jedlicka Middle School
Walking in the hall one day I am stopped by a high school teacher. He says that in his Psychology class he asked students to write a story about their lives. He proceeded to tell me that one of his students wrote about me. They talked about how I was really hard on them at first, but through my guidance and how much I believed in them, I helped them change their life for the better.
He would not tell me who this student is and maybe that is not such bad thing. Now when I look at all the students I have ever worked with I think to myself “Hmm was it them?” Then I assume it was and like to believe I have helped all students I have worked with in one way of another. It reminds me of the work that I do and how it is powerful. I have come to realize that I am not always the “teacher,” but sometimes I am the student. My kids teach me things every day and with this I have learned even more the importance of having a positive person in your life no matter your age.
[From “Voices From the Field: Reflections from Minnesota Alliance With Youth’s AmeriCorps Promise Fellows.” Winter 2016.]