Hope

I remember going into the Counselor’s suite at Nacogdoches High School in 1983.  They had announced there was an opportunity to take college courses during the summer, while still in high school.  It piqued my interest.

I remember the counselor scanning my high school transcript.  A’s and B’s with one C.  Sophomore English.  Why did I get a C?  I remember intercepting a progress report that was to my parents.  It said “Libby always seems to try.”  I didn’t try.

               

The counselor scanned my grades and quickly dismissed me saying my grades were not good enough.  No options, no hope.

Ironically it didn’t faze me.  I was going to college—it didn’t matter when really, now or later, but I was going regardless of what she thought.

And to college I went.  Bachelor’s degree.  Master’s Degree.  Doctorate.  I got them all.  I wonder now what that counselor would say if I were to meet her?  I know one thing she’d say and that’s “Dr. Wallace!”

How does a person dismiss another’s potential?  She could not see the tsunami forming inside me.  But she still tried to dismiss the tide.

How is it we have individuals in the public school systems who dim a child’s hope?  Do people think they are helping when they diminish hope?

On the tip of the tongue of every adult working with students should be “you have amazing potential, what do you dream of?”  Then build from there—do not deconstruct hope, find a footing for it and start building!