Dream Crusher

Sometimes I do not think that teachers and school personnel realize the effect that they can have on their students.

When I was a freshman in high school, I was forced to enroll in a Biology class. Now, I know this is the standard procedure, but I hated Biology! It grossed me out to have to cut open a frog and later during the class a worm. I could care less what the insides of these animals looked like or how they functioned. As far as I knew, I would never in my lifetime use the information that was being crammed down my throat.

Although I was very capable of securing good grades in this class, as I was usually an A student, my grade for this class remained a C. My disgust for the class did not matter; my teacher just kept force-feeding me. When I could stand it no more, I went to the school's guidance counselor.

"I want out of this class," I said. "It is never going to do me any good. It is a waste of my time," I added.

"Let me ask you something," she responded. "What do you want to do when you get out of school? What type of job do you want to get?" She asked.

"I would like to be a singer, an actress or a writer," I answered.

"Well," she said unsympathetically, "You will probably never be any of those things. You will probably need this biology course to help you get a real job," she added.

I remember leaving her office feeling crushed. She had just taken away all of my hopes and dreams. Looking back, I realize that the probability of me being an actress, a singer or a writer was slim, but still I wonder why she couldn't have been more gentle. I wonder if my life would have turned out differently had she told me that my career choices were wonderful, but that I should plan on back-up choices just in case the others did not work out. This would have been a great opportunity for her to discuss diligence and hard work with me. Also, it would have been a great time to begin talking with me about college choices. I can think of so many positive avenues that my counselor could have taken, but she took none.

Although I know that I am responsible for my own actions and decisions, the words that this lady said to me that day, altered my future. I lost my vision for a career, and it took me years after my high school graduation to seek a college degree. I just always figured I would never be able to partake in a career I enjoyed.

I really wish I could remember my counselor's name and knew her whereabouts because I would love to contact her. I would love to let her know that I am a writer now. I became what she said I would probably never become. I wish that I could tell her that she needs to be more careful when she is helping to shape and mold lives for the real world. Her words are powerful and have the potential to devastate someone forever. I am lucky to have finally overcome the doubt that she placed in my heart.