My Teacher Said I Couldn’t Write For Sh*t
But I don’t let teachers determine my fate
My fifth-grade teacher told my parents — in a parent-teacher conference — that I’m a bad writer. Thankfully, my parents didn’t tell me this piece of information until many years later. However, it’s ironic that I published my first book in the fifth grade, “Beauty Secrets for Girls,” and my second book, “Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late,” two years later.
Maybe my parents encouraged me to write a book because my teacher told them that I sucked. *shrug* But my parents fully supported my desire to publish my first book and never doubted my abilities; you need people on your team like this to believe in you, but more importantly, you need to believe in yourself.
Self-belief is critical to achieving anything worthwhile.
5 Lessons I Learned From My 5th Grade Teacher
Lesson 1: Everyone Isn’t Right
Carefully choose the people you listen to in life because many of them are wrong. Even if I was a bad writer in fifth grade, it doesn’t mean I was destined to be a bad writer forever; I could evolve from a bad writer to a better writer with continuous practice.
We don’t have to accept others’ truths as our truths. We must question everything, and determine for ourselves what is true for us. If my teacher told me directly I was a bad writer and I listened to her, I would not be the writer I am today with all of the works I’ve published today. Furthermore, my words would have never reached people across the globe who needed to hear my words.
Don’t let other people determine your destiny. You need to determine your destiny.
Lesson 2: Do You
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about teachers and the educational system, the experience can be great for some and others not so much. That’s why I dropped out of public school after fifth grade; I knew I didn’t want to further engage with public education — outside of college.
I also knew I wanted to write a book — although I was only 11 years old when I published it. I didn’t even consider my age; I just went for it, which is the best way to do it.
Side Note My favorite teacher was Mrs. Jacob, which was in the third grade. She was the best. My three favorite memories of my third year of elementary school are:
- The smiley face printed bubble gum she kept in a glass jar.
- The epic treehouse in her classroom.
- Out of the entire class, two boys and I learned our multiplication facts first and won an outing of ice cream with Mrs. Jacob.
The public school system isn’t terrible; it just wasn’t for me. There were both good and not-so-good experiences.
Lesson 3: When You Have A Goal, Do It
Get it done, and let the chips fall where they may. My goal was to write a book. I’m amply grateful my parents never conveyed to me that my teacher thought I was a bad writer; it helped me have less negativity throughout my first book’s entire writing and publishing process.
- Don’t delay working on your goals.
- Don’t tell everyone about your goals.
- Don’t let negativity impact your goals.
- Don’t let naysayers tell you what your goals should be.
Lesson 4: Don’t Get Caught Up In Others’ Feedback
It’s nice to hear positive affirmations from others. It’s brilliant to receive constructive feedback from others that you can implement to improve your life. But it can be uncomfortable and painful to hear negative feedback. Take all feedback with a grain of salt, and don’t get emotional about it.
When you receive feedback, here are a few productive steps to follow: Step 1: Listen to the feedback. Step 2: Decipher if the feedback is genuine and applies to you. Step 3a: If the feedback is true and constructive, implement the feedback Step 3b: If the feedback is false, reject the feedback, and let it go.
Lesson 5: If Someone Is Your Teacher, They Don’t Have To Be Your Teacher
Sometimes, your bosses, teachers, superiors, and leaders aren’t the best people to be in the position. We must remember not everyone in positions of leadership is perfect; they’re human. [Side Note: If you’re an ineffective leader, it doesn’t make you a bad person.] Learn to distinguish between who you should follow and who you shouldn’t follow; it will save you much trouble, energy, and time along the way.
Destiny S. Harris is a writer, poet, entrepreneur, teacher, and techie who offers free books daily on amazon. Destiny obtained three degrees in political science, psychology, and women’s studies. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or @ destinyh.com
