Simon Isaac Simon Professor Filbeck English 114A 18 September 2013 The Step to Succession

Its my high school sophomore year and I can do anything without breaking a sweat or studying, I am the smartest person in the school. This English honors course couldnt make me work if it brought its worst of assignments. Boy was that a foolish perspective. I arrived at the classroom with my head held high and a feeling of superiority, this class cant compare to me. As I took my seat Mrs. Brown says Ok class were going to write an essay. I was astonished, what she had said seemed unconceivable! Already?! I said in my mind (there was no way I would say that out loud because then I would look dumber than the rest), In fact, she said we will be writing essays every Friday to improve our writing she stated with a huge odd smile on her face. I looked around to relate my shock with another student, but every single kid had a blank face of disinterest printed upon their face. Am I the only one who believes writing an essay is a taxing process requiring hours of planning and dedication? No matter how remarkable I believed I was, Id never forget that English is my weakest point in education. My reading level has forever been lower than the common reader and my essays had been weaker in the persuasive sense and were never sufficiently detailed. For several years my writing skills hadnt improved too well. Taking my first challenge-based class served as an epiphany. 10th grade Honors-English changed my writing forever.

Simon

First week into this rigid class and I cant understand how my classmates are able to do so well even with the high level of readings required and the frequent essays. At this point my ego isnt too high anymore, I can feel my confidence drop as I receive my essays bursting with red pen corrections. Every mistake and essay earning less than a B was a searing stab to my self-esteem. Since around 3rd grade, I realized I was not up to par with the rest of my peers when it came to literature. My first clue was my speed in reading, it was not significantly lower but the fact that I did not enjoy reading had a great negative impact on my reading level. I enjoyed the stories in every book, but I believed that if I wanted entertainment I could simply turn on the switch of a television screen. This point of view proved unfortunate when my reading level fell behind among the rest. When I realized this became my weak point, a feeling of inferiority chilled through my spine. I was ashamed to come to class on reading days and by not seeking assistance I only added another block to my skyscraper of a conflict. Second week into Mrs. Browns incredibly challenging course and Im struggling! For the first time in my educational career, I was earning a D. I was so disappointed at my intelligence and at myself as a being. I finally found the courage to decide to talk to Mrs. Brown after school. Id never asked anybody for help in school; although my pride was at stake, my grade was much more significant to me. I entered her freezing, air-conditioned class with nerves running from head to toes. She glanced at me, and said Hi! with a big smile on her face. This reaction somehow immediately relaxed me, I suddenly felt confident to ask her for help. I smiled back and said Hi Mrs. Brown, I want to know how I can improve my grade. Her smile remained on her face and said If you do all of the assignments, then you wont have to worry about your grade. I informed her that my grade was being lowered by my essays being assigned

Simon weekly. To my surprise her smile remained on her face! At one point I thought she was

enjoying my failure. But, then she said, your essays are improving greatly so dont stress, here take a look. She handed me my most recent essay. There were no read marks on, so I asked her when she was going to grade it. Her smile grew even larger as she told me she had already corrected it. I couldnt help but smile with her when I heard this incredible news! There is still hope for me. After barely surviving the readings of elementary school, the frequent reading tests were no longer required. Although I was done with reading exams, I was now required to incorporate what I had learned to create pieces of writings. But I felt like I hadnt learned anything! I was definitely in a messy situation. English continued on as a cyclone of stress in my head, barely getting by with my poor pieces of writing. I was beginning to believe Id never improved on my literature skills. I was beginning to lose all faith in English, until I met Mrs. Brown. The longest four weeks toddled by in Mrs. Browns 10th grade English course, but it was no longer difficult. The transformation of my weak illiterate brain was complete! I began to notice my essays were actually entertaining and that my hand could no longer keep up with the imaginative ideas bursting out of my head. My grade improved as well, but nothing could define the valuable experience I had gained. English was my weakest point in education up until 10th grade year. Mrs. Brown became my savior, not only did I greatly need the help in my literature skills, but I also needed somebody I to break down the defensive wall that was my ego. I had subconsciously created this ego after elementary and middle school in order for people to assume I was as good as them if not better. Mrs. Brown broke this burden for me and helped me unleash my true writing potential, I couldnt be any more grateful.