Last week I was at Dillon's stocking up on food for the week, when I saw her. Standing in front of the crackers as I looked at the sharp cheddar cheese was my high school counselor Mrs. Fritts. Everyone has those moments in their educations that, when looked back on, are quite pivotal in deciding one's future. One of those moments happened between Mrs. Fritts and I in the cafeteria of Kickapoo High School.
High School Flashback
Fritts: Well hello, Leslie. Let's take a look at your schedule.
Sophomore LS: Okay (slide a stack of papers to Fritts.
Fritts: This looks interesting. Yes, it looks like you'll have enough credits to graduate. But, wait; this Algebra II class. You can't take it until you finish Algebra I, and you're not good at math. Why would you want to take all of these math classes?
SLS: I want to go to college, and most colleges want to see Algebra II.
Fritts: Yes, but you aren't really college material. You're best bet is getting a job or choosing a trade school after college.
SLS: Are you telling me I can't take the math classes?
Fritts: No, but I don't think you'll be successful in them. I can't stop you, but I'm marking down here that I don't agree with your choice.
SLS: Stunned silence
I took the math classes, aced algebra II, and wound up going to college. But for so long I harbored a grudge against Mrs. Fritts for telling me that I should choose a trade. And there it was again--the gnawing feeling that I would be a high school teacher.
And now I am. WhenI saw Mrs. Fritts at Dillon's buying groceries in a white pants suit, she didn't recognize me. It was though we had no history--no past, no grduge. I quickly got out iPhone and took her picture. Since then, I've looked at her picture each day, and I've been trying to let the grudge go. So, for what it's worth, Mrs. Fritts, I hope you had an excellent Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that you didn't beleive in me, so I would have to start.
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