How one high school teacher changed my life
Last Wednesday felt like the first day of school. 'Cause it was. I got to do something I've dreamed of.
Teach a class.
Even better?
With some of my squad
Even better?
We're helping girls in public high school.
Girls who don't know numbers, def don't love 'em. Who might be afraid of math. Who haven't experienced the power of compounding. Or the freedom of good financial habits. Who aren't aware that there's a place for them on Wall Street.
Thanks to Rock The Street, Wall Street, we got to help girls learn financial literacy and see a career path in finance. We got to help girls who are a lot like us.
Being back in high school was a trip down all kinds of lanes.
I have had so many amazing teachers. In school, on the field, in the workplace, in life. Great teachers do more than teach you skills; they teach you to believe in a brighter future, in yourself.
My high school English teacher, Carole Smith, knew I was paying for my own college. She gave me a newspaper clip for a scholarship writing/speech competition, Voice of Democracy, with the words, "You can do this."
It changed my life. Not only because I won the scholarship. Not only because I traveled all over the U.S. Not only because I delivered that speech on the radio, on stages big and small. Not only because I was in parades or received letters from people all over the state. Or because my speech was placed in the Congressional record. All of those things, yes. But also because I saw the power of words and stories to move people.
And the words were mine.
Her influence was the best kind. Teacher to student. For a girl who desperately needed a champion. And a chance.
Thank you, Ms. Smith, and teachers everywhere.