Yesterday, I did something I was planning to do for a while.
I went back into my high school.
Upon creating my acknowledgements page for my second book, I tried to think of everyone that helped me along on my journey to publishing. One person leapt into mind and I couldn’t believe I forgot to mention him in the first book.
My high school history teacher.
I had a hard time in high school. I was diagnosed with lyme disease in the beginning of my junior year. Unfortunately, it appeared that I had it for quite sometime before it was found. For years, I had painful neurologic complications and was always so tired. It was a struggle to get up every morning, let alone be on time for school. I missed a lot of early classes and some teachers were insulted by it.
But not this history teacher.
One day he started the class off by saying that someone forgot to put their name on an assignment and he handed out everyone’s to find out who it was. Once all the papers were handed out, he saw that I didn’t get mine back and I was so embarrassed to be the one who spaced out like that. I reached for my paper so that he would move on with the class so everyone would stop staring at me. But then he held the paper up and told everyone that my paper was the best thing he’s ever read from a student and this is what he expected when he handed out an assignment.
I couldn’t believe it. My mortification only deepened as he proceeded to read it aloud to the class!
The assignment was to imagine that you were one of the early settlers of America and to write a journal entry trying to explain an event during that time.
My teacher (who also had a dramatic flair) stopped after every other sentence, oohing and ahhing. After he finished, he told the class that I was going to be a writer someday.
Well, after the class returned to normal and their envious eyes went back to the chalk board, his words sunk in and I beamed inside.
I still have that paper. I have frequently pulled it out of my memorabilia box and I’m so thankful that he wrote the same comments he proclaimed to the class all over the whole piece. He even wrote the words, “I have no doubt that you will be an amazing writer someday.”
How could I have forgotten to thank him in my first book? Especially since my series is so much like that assignment; the series where I imagined experiencing historic events or people first hand. He gave me the confidence that I could attempt to pull off such a thing.
He was always such an enthusiastic teacher and everyone loved him. No matter if they were the top of the class or someone who was struggling. He loved history and he loved his students. So many teachers burned out, but this teacher put on a show every class. Trying to pull all his students into the love of history with the littlest details. I remember he even gave students partial credit on tests if they came up with something amusing in reply, instead of leaving the answer blank. He was a wonderful, wonderful teacher.
Acknowledging him in my book was not enough.
I knew he would never find my book on his own so I ordered a copy of each book and enclosed a letter to him. I decided to hand deliver my package to be sure he was still at the same school. It was so surreal to walk back through my high school doors. A few times I almost turned around because a voice in my head tried to talk me out of the whole thing. I felt like that delinquent student all over again, rushing in to try to make part of my morning classes.
The main office wasn’t in the same place.
Good—the voice said inside me—you can’t find the office, so just go home.
But I walked a little further and saw a small office. I took a breath and walked in.
I asked, “Does (teacher’s name) still teach here?”
“Yes.” She appeared wary.
Then I remembered how schools now have security measures in place for disgruntled students and what did I say?…
“I was a student of his and just wanted to thank him.” I handed her the heavy, bomb-sized package.
She quickly looks me up and down, trying to find any sign of danger, but slowly reaches her hands up for the package once she takes in my yoga uniform and thrown-together motherly vibe. If I didn’t have time to brush my hair, clearly I didn’t have time to make a pipe-bomb.
Her still, awkward stare pressed the urgent need for me to explain more.
“I wrote a couple of books and thanked him in my acknowledgements…” Ugh, I’m talking too much, just stop! “I just wanted to give him a copy.”
She nodded in partial acceptance and I turned and briskly walked out, like I just picked up my class absence pass.
I practically ran to my car, slowly re-emerging as the thirty-something mother of two that I am. I didn’t even stop at the student guard station. I just waved to the man, who waved back (I must look thirty from just a glance in the car!).
Anyway, I told you this long story not only to validate this amazing teacher, but also to cause you to think about all those who helped you feel confident about your writing. Think way back to your formative years and I’d love for you to tell me about them in the comments…and don’t forget to thank them in your first (next) book!
What a heartwarming post! Reminded me of teachers that made such a difference in my life. I could also really feel how absolutely wonderful it would feel to have a teacher praise you like that – especially when you were going through such a hard time.
I know it must have meant so much to him that you acknowledged him and took the time to bring him the book!
Thanks, Mira! Teachers are so important. Good ones (and, unfortunately, bad ones) have so much power to shape our lives. Normally, I’d worry that a teacher wouldn’t remember me or look at the fact I self-published with an upturned nose, but this teacher would never see it that way. I bet his classes are still as amazing as they were fifteen years ago.
That’s awesome! Both that you has such a supportive teacher and that you were able to drop off copies your books and a letter for him. Very cool!
What a great blog! You crack me up. You tell a great story (you should write books haha).
First I should say that I don’t ever want to go back to high school so good job being do brave!
I have a ton more not so inspiring teacher stories but I’ve had two teachers that made other kinds of differences in my life. Sometimes support of who you are can be a form of writing support. They believed I’d do something with my life but not exactly in the writing field (I was only in third grade). One teacher once said that he’d love to know what sort of job id have in the future and made a bet that it would be in something where my opinions mattered. I’m not sure that falls under the writing world but it will have to do cause that’s all I have for a story. Haha
You’ll have to keep us posted if he responds to you!
That definitely counts as inspiration. Every part of a book is opinion. A writer has to make every possible decision about what they want their reader to see and how they want them to see it. You have to stand behind your view with resolve and, to be told early on that you form interesting opinions would give you great confidence.
I’ll keep you posted if he responds. Man, I just hope he doesn’t read it to his students..haha.
I also want to know his reaction! Wow. What an amazing experience.
This post especially hit home for me since I am a middle education major myself. I hope I can be an inspiration like this teacher clearly was to you.
One of my most influential teachers was my third grade teacher. She was the one responsible for my huge love of books (which led to my passion for writing). I’ll definitely remember to thank her and others who have helped me so much along the way. Thanks for the awesome reminder 🙂
Ooh! You have your new wordpress blog up I see!
*rushes off to follow*
Oops! Just realized that it’s a gmail account. I just can’t wait to see what you’re working on 🙂
Darn! It is up! Still finishing up the pages but the blog is transferred. I’ll be announcing the move in a matter of days. I do hope you follow me over there!
I thought it would link but I guess not… -_- supposedly I’m “commenting using your WordPress account”
I got a twitter and Facebook fan page and Google +, the whole show lol hope i can get some writing done with all of those accounts lol
I know it’s time for me to jump into the twitter, Facebook, and Google + party. Why does a sense of panic overcome me when I think of juggling all those things? I’m sure it’s easy once you get the knack of them. Let me know when it’s up!
I THINK I got it to link now. But beware! lol the site still needs some work. You will be the first to get the official announcement! :b
As far as joining the party, I’m worried too. But I joined Hootsuite (free) to help me keep track of everything. And have you heard of BloggingWithAmy.com? She has a great post about time management. She recommends taking the total amount of time you have to dedicate to writing, engaging in blogs/social media, and your own blog, then dividing it (in this case by 3 for 3 things you have to do) and that’s how much time you spend on each thing. you adjust as necessary, but once your time’s up it’s up! I think it just takes a lot of self discipline
I feel so honored to be the first to know. I will definitely check out Hootsuite and BloggingWithAmy. Thanks for letting me know! I’m going to go peek at your new site 😉
He sounded like such a great teacher and I am glad that you had a chance to give him a copy of each book. Thanks for reminding us to acknowledge the people that encouraged us to be writers along the way. It makes me think back to my fourth grade teacher. 🙂
Interesting, it looks like so many people were encouraged in elementary school. Just shows how important it is for early teachers to give their students confidence. I’m so glad your fourth grade teacher inspired you. You are a fantastic writer!
Thank you, Lauren. As are you! 🙂
This is such a timely post for me! I’ve been looking through old high school papers and thinking about the teachers who shaped my writing and encouraged me to focus on it. It’d be wonderful someday to acknowledge them in a book.
I thought I was the only one who held onto high school papers 🙂
I was given an ultimatum (now in my mid-30s) to clean out my boxes that are still at my parents’ house across the country, so I’m getting rid of a lot but saving my favorite papers and teacher comments!
That’s always a recurring dream I have, finding a huge chest filled with old things from my childhood. I bet you found some great things!
On the back of my kindergarten report card, my teacher wrote:
“DIane has a sense of humor that is beyond her years.”
I don’t think my mother understood it much because she was Japanese. I never really understood it until I started writing, seriously writing.
Great post, Laura!
This is so funny! You do have a great sense of humor! I loved the graph of how you spend your time (especially the time allotted to avoiding sex..haha)
Hi! your post made me laugh…a good thing and much needed 🙂 I’ve had some cool teachers too that really impacted me, a few who cultivated the love for reading. I have a short story I wrote for a class and the teacher wrote over the top of it…I can’t remember it exactly…but it read something to the effect of: If you don’t find a job using this talent it would surely be a sin. I had totally forgotten about the paper, but I did keep it and when I started pursuing this writing thing almost nine years ago, I found it, again. there’s nothing like a little confirmation about what I was attempting. I will have to remember to include them in my thank yous. Thanks for the reminder!..
I’m so glad to have made you laugh. It’s amazing how all these little papers have turned into treasures!
You’re blog looks wonderful. I’m now a follower 🙂
Oh, thank you! I will be checking back often for sure!
Wow. I’m sure we can all relate to this. It’s easy to forget all those people who were important in shaping us as writers (and as people) along the way. I know I have several both from high school and from college. I wonder who I’d be today if those people didn’t see something in me and encourage me. This was a really inspiring post.
Hi Lauren: I so enjoyed your trek back in time. Wish you could have seen your teacher, personally. He would have loved that opportunity, I am sure.
I had an English teacher, Mr. Dunn. Of course, he is deceased now, but he was an awesome teacher, my absolute favorite, and my inspiration.
When I’m nervous, nonsense comes out of my mouth. Especially worse if I mix nervousness with emotion. Thank goodness I didn’t run into him 🙂
By the way, I am enjoying your book immensely.
🙂
That was a really nice post. I hope everyone has at least one teacher in their school life who they will always remember in this way.
I had an English teacher who always marked our essays out of 20, but only ever gave a highest mark of 14. He explained in our first lesson that if we got our work back and he had given us 14 out of 20 we should be very pleased, as this meant he thought our work was very good.
Over the following months I consistently got 14s and felt quite pleased. Then, one amazing day, I received back an assignment with the glorious mark of 17 out of 20!! He also put in some comments about how much he enjoyed my story, and read it out to the class.
I never got higher than 17 (and I sometimes wonder if he ever gave out a 20 to anybody in his career) but boy, did I float on air for several days after.
Thanks for the little memory prompt.
Good post, and nice trip down memory lane for me.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Ken. What a unique grading scale your teacher had. I wish I could ask him why he decided to make 14 a very good score with 17 possibly the highest he would ever give out. I’m sure he had a good reason for it and look how meaningful it was to you. It’s amazing that these small moments of recognition evolve into great inspiration and confidence years later. Thank goodness for teachers like this.
Lauren,
The hsitory teacher here. Been in Middle East hence the lag in reply. You blew me away with your gifts. You do know this is the greatest comliment in the world, right? THANK YOU.
Don’t be shy about visiting- I’d love to catch up- about you, your peers, those years… I still can’t believe you did this enormously kind thing.
I looked for an email and couln’t find? Love to have it.
WOW.
‘xoxo’
Me
Oh, it’s so great to hear from you! And, so great that you don’t think it was creepy that I dropped off books/ acknowledged you/ and wrote a blog post about you! I would love to catch up sometime! My email is lewaters777(at)yahoo(dot)com and please keep in touch!
(And to let me know if my writing has improved since high school…haha)