An Open Letter to My High School Freshman Self — From a Somewhat Annoyed High School Teacher
Originally Published September 7, 2020
Part of me is annoyed by how you acted in high school, but part of me understands completely… Before I get into it, I don’t want you to think I am judging you. I’m simply making an observation, putting it out there for the world to see on a blog, and possibly deleting this in a few weeks.
I don’t want this to sound like I love you or anything like that. Because, at fourteen or twenty-four, or even twenty-five, who knows what love is?
With only a few days before I begin working officially as an educator at Mastery Schools, I can’t help but reflect on who I was in 9th grade at Cardinal Dougherty High School during the 2009–2010 school year. As I recall, I remember the traits of my best teachers, who cared but, more importantly, had high standards, respect for their students, and a love for their subjects. That’s the teacher I aim to be.
But the type of students I will teach, learn from, advocate for, and empower will have a vague aim. Not to generalize, but many will. Some will want to pursue a career in the NBA, others wish to attend and graduate from college, others may want to become rappers, and some may not even want to be in school at all. I said those things because that’s who you were eleven-odd years ago.
“Some will want to pursue a career in the NBA, others wish to attend and graduate from college, others may want to become rappers, and some may not even want to be in school at all.”
You were the type of kid who wanted to impress others, desired popularity, took risks, and annoyed your teachers. You ran through the halls between classes, crushed on upper-class girls, and sometimes wondered what it would be like to kiss the hottest girl in school. Yes, this was you.
You dealt with peer pressure and got bullied, but you stuck with it. You graduated four years later with honors, matriculated to a university in central Pennsylvania before transferring to Temple University, and you know, the rest is history.
After all this reflection, I wanted to share with you these things because I don’t have much time. Looking back, I wanted to share that I understand the type of student you were. You were the type of inner-city kid whose family sheltered him until he was 14. You were the type of kid who wanted the best for himself but needed help, guidance, and protection. The adults in your life also set standards for your behavior and academic excellence, and you displayed leadership and grit.
“You were the type of kid who wanted the best for himself but needed help, guidance, and protection. The adults in your life also set standards for your behavior and academic excellence, and you displayed leadership and grit.”
I only decided to write this letter because you were just like the students I’ll be grateful to teach next week. And, very similar to the student you were, growing up in Olney and sheltered for most of your childhood, you were protected. So, I’ll defend my students. Because whatever you were grateful to have as a freshman in high school, by way of educators who cared, I will do the same for my students during the 2020–2021 school year.
If you’re wondering how I’m doing, I’m still here. Persevering, being a living example of grit, and paying it forward because you taught me what I needed eleven-odd years ago.
-Don
