How a teacher impacted me

During our class discussion we spoke about how teachers have the responsibility of responding to their students behavior as well as the opportunity to reach out to them and offer them help and guidance. We further discussed how many of our students will encounter hard times such as family problems, parents going through a divorce, or even losing a loved one. Although these are common problems that can have a big impact on a student psychologically and impact their ability to think during class, I think there are many other unfortunate problems a student may encounter that teachers need to be aware of. Beginning my freshman year in high school I was in an abusive relationship. This is one event I can think of where a teacher reached out to me. I was told what to wear, whom to talk to, as well as where I could and couldn’t go. Although my family knew the horrible situation I was in, I thought I would be able to hide it from my teachers realizing it was having a negative impact on my class work. Looking back I am not surprised I was unable to hide it from my teachers. I believe they saw the sadness behind my eyes. My mind was never focused on classwork, but instead wandering off wondering if my boyfriend at the time would pass my class and see me wearing a tank top instead of the sweatshirt he demanded me to wear. He would always pass by my class to make sure I was wearing a sweatshirt instead of a tank top. On a hot day, this made it even more impossible to concentrate in class. After things got really bad and more then one of my teachers saw me crying in class, I was reported to the guidance counselor, who then contacted my parents. Although at first I was upset and tried to hide that anything was wrong, this was the first step in getting me help. I wanted help so badly, but wasn’t sure how to get out of the relationship. Although it still took time, these teachers took the first step by reaching out. They realized there was a problem and tried to get me help. This negative relationship was having such and impact on me emotionally and psychologically that I was not able to concentrate at all during school. I truly believe that, “things may shape future lives, but they don’t necessarily determine their future.” This could be said for the situation I went through. Although it helped to shape the person I have become, it in no way determined my future. I think as teachers we have so much to look out for and be aware of. Because my teachers were aware of the change in my attitude, they were able to get me help and that ultimately was the first step in leading me to where I am today!