From the Student

From the Student

I was there at the start.
I watched you go through the classes,
-----helped with the reports,
----------collected supplies,
---------------and dressed as a “special guest” occasionally.
I was ecstatic when you got the degree.
I helped prepare the resumes,
-----heard the reports on the interviews,
----------waited for phone calls,
---------------and celebrated when the job came
We joyfully set up the classroom.
I volunteered for the classroom,
-----sorted and graded papers,
----------helped calculate grades,
---------------and cleaned up at the end of the day.
I always said I would be okay as long as you didn’t treat me like one of your students.

Well,


I’m not okay.


Your teaching was not in vain.
I did learn quite a bit from you.

I learned patience,
-----I had to endure long talks with you so my behavior could be corrected.

I learned cleanliness,
-----the house was never clean enough for you.

I learned longsuffering,
-----no matter how much pain I was in, you were in more.

I learned endurance,
-----no matter how tired I was, there was always one more thing to do.

I learned the value of silence,
-----most of what I had to say was either offensive or wrong.

I learned to accept responsibility,
-----all of the problems in our relationship are my fault.

I learned to accept the consequences of my actions,
-----there are always lumps to be taken.

I learned forgiveness,
-----all slights I perceive are incorrect, so I need to just get over it.

I learned humility,
-----I am never as great as I once thought I was.

I learned the value of motivation,
-----why I did something is not as important as what I did.

I learned vocabulary,
-----my understanding of certain words seems to be different form yours.

I learned self-control,
-----even if I am unhappy, tears are not appropriate.