Envisioning Great Expectations

The ability to envision in great expectations for all students is one of the most important perspectives that teachers in general should have towards their students. I remember being tested for the Special Education program several times throughout elementary school because I had very poor reading comprehension skills. The fact of the matter, however, was not that I needed to be in the classified as a SPED student, but that I needed more educational guidance and assistance in reading. My second grade teacher was uncommitted to helping me improve these lacking abilities simply because she was convinced that I was just one of her many students and that she should therefore be focusing on the class as a whole rather than each student individually. Due to her negative attitude, my reading comprehension skills improved very little, if at all, while I was a member of her class. I still remember her telling me that because I could not read very well, I should focus on my academic talents in math instead. As a result of her lack of commitment towards helping me improve in my troubled areas, I was not able to develop defined reading skills as early as I could have. Instead, I was forced to wait until my third grade teacher, Mrs. Patricia Akiyama, was willing to help me improve my by reading proficiency having my parents and I regularly visit the library and read nightly bedtime stories. Mrs. Akiyama’s dedication to helping me overcome this scholastic weakness instilled within me the confidence I needed in order to excel as a student. Following this experience, I eventually embellished enough self-believe and faith as to where I eventually graduated from my island’s largest and most highly accredited high school with valedictory status. Due to her hard work and compassion towards me as her student, Mrs. Akiyama was able to envision and nurture great expectations for me. It is for committed teachers such as she of whom I am eternally indebted to and grateful for.