Grades are up.
I am thankful.
I graduated in 2008 with my Bachelor's degree and since then things have been placed in my life that have turned my world upside down. What are these things? Surgery, life, and professors. Professors can make you or break you, but ultimately it is up to you if you let them break you or make you.
Since I was in Middle School, I have heard teachers tell me I will not amount to anything, I am stupid, dumb, and I am terrible at their subjects... It did not stop in Middle school, this has followed me through college.
I had professors call me stupid, not believe in me, and harass me. They don't teach, they make it unbearable to come to their classes, and they wonder why they aren't teaching the next semester or why people are constantly dropping their classes.
On the flip side, I have had teachers, who motivate me, believe in me, encourage, and put their faith in me. They build me up, push me to do my best, and when I am down and out, kick me to give me that extra boost of energy to make it to the end.
All of these professors made me who I am today. If I had stopped in 6th grade when I was called stupid and was told I would not amount to anything, I would of had a 5th grade education. The sad fact is, this was a science class. My major: Science. I want to find this teacher and show her what I have become. 7th grade, I got yelled at by my favorite teacher for not dissecting the frog...I truly believe Mr. B is looking down on me when I dissected all of the animals I did in Patho and said "I did that!" Thank you, Mr. B.
Mrs. H, believed in me and always had. She was my favorite teacher that was not a science teacher. She made me learn things, enjoyed teaching, and had a way with her students in them wanting to learn more. I know I did. When we had our Holocaust lesson, I wanted to learn more about it, and still want to learn more about it. Fast forward to college. Dr. S had enthusiasm in her teaching that spread to her students. She knew not all of us wanted to APE professionals, but she adapted her class to life lessons. Dr. M, did the same, but in a different way. She is the woman I look up to. (Along with my mom of course). Dr. M, was passionate about equality, life, and fairness. Her classes changed my life. Not so much because there were no tests, but the lessons she taught me made me into the woman I am today. Mr. D....well, he harassed me, made life hell, but most importantly showed me how smart I am and how never to give up when injustice is handed to you. Dr. E's class gave me the wonderful idea about the Holocaust. (It was an Anthropology class) He was talking about forensics and my mind went into geek over load. Which brings me to Dr. T. He helped me pursue my idea and is helping me make it possible. He was always there for me, bounced ideas off of me to help further my academic career, and believed in me. Professor N, gave me a wonderful refresher course in Anatomy (and kicked my butt in Pilates while doing it too). When I said "I can't" She said "You Can! Don't tell me you can't!"
I owe my success to the wonderful teachers. I owe my fight and determination to the not so wonderful teachers.
Dr. T said, "Natalie, You will do amazing things" Dr. M said, "Natalie, you are doing amazing things." But the truth is, with out them, I could not be doing these amazing things. I never let professors or teachers determine what kind of student I will/would be. And I never gave up. And I won't give up.
I have a dream. It's found here: http://www.gofundme.com/2biju8 I will never give up on this dream. I know I have many professors that I am about to encounter, but these that have made me who I am, will stay with me for the rest of my life.
So do not let the bad professors break you and never, ever, give up on your dreams.
