Originally published in TEACH Magazine, July/August 2023 Issue
By Eric Gaestel
“Tries hard, but finds the subject difficult.” A statement that was often printed on my report card as a kid.
I came to school fully ready to learn, but still I struggled to keep up with my peers academically. Even though I was so young, my mind was consumed by thoughts of my perceived lack of ability to succeed and this deeply affected my self-esteem. Once a young person becomes convinced that they will never be successful, no amount of academic remediation will help.
What did help was having teachers who took the time to get to know me and understand where I was coming from, and who chose to be a positive influence on my school experience. Teachers like Mr. Prail, my 8th grade social studies teacher, not only inspired me as a student, but also influenced my decision to become a middle school teacher. In fact, what he did is exactly what I strive to do now: form positive relationships with my students.
Eric Gaestel is a teacher at McClintock Middle School in Charlotte, NC. He provides mentorship to new and beginning teachers through McClintock’s teacher support program, offering them guidance and support as they navigate their first years as educators.
