I was 15 when I learned that (most) School Teachers don’t give a sh*t about you.

I was 15 when I learned that (most) School Teachers don’t give a sh*t about you.

Everyone has that 1 teacher that changed their life. Inspired belief or imparted knowledge. The teacher that most impacted my life was actually the worst teacher I ever had. This teacher hated me… probably kids in general…

When I was 15 I had aspirations of being a lawyer getting an OP 1 or 2. (The absolute pinnacle of academic success where I went to school)  It all changed when I took Year 10 Physics.

I didn’t necessarily struggle with the subject matter but I struggled with how this teacher liked to teach. So much so we had a 2 hour meeting afterschool on Friday with the teacher and my parents saying he was concerned.

We set an action plan of what I was to do and put it in motion. It was all good until the next Monday. 

I was asked to do an optional Science test. Only selected kids were asked to participate.

Unfortunately I missed my session…

The teacher then instructed me to join another group and sit the test with the younger grades. When I went to do so there was a big group of kids there and other teachers who I was frankly scared of. So I didn’t go I went back to class and avoided the test entirely. It was the first time I remember not taking action due to Anxiety & Fear.

That afternoon I had physics class. The teacher figured out I did not complete the test in the second session. What wasn’t obvious to me at the time was that my results could have swayed him into getting his contract renewed. So when I didn’t complete it he was furious.

In the class he decided to pick me out in front of everyone and embarrassed me. Revealed my bad grades throughout the year to the class. (I sucked at Physics, but killed it in Science in general)

At that time in my life, my grades were my identity. The one subject I had ever struggled with was Physics taught by him. Now he was openly destroying me in front of a class of my peers. I was crushed. I clenched my fist stood up, ready to kill.

Rather than actually assaulting the teacher I walked out of the room. He came out abrasively accusing me of lying about the test. (I told him I went back to class because no one was there. I was lying, just could not give him the satisfaction). Again, to disengage I looked him in the eye and then left.

That afternoon he called my mum saying I was a liar and failing his class. Saying I was too dumb for his class. That I should quit. 

I didn’t quit... but I never stepped into a classroom with him again. I sat in the Library and the textbook was my teacher. My grades went up…

He had proven to me that I don’t need to learn from a teacher to learn. I don’t need to be at school to learn. Most importantly my identity being wrapped up in my grades was stupid. He was the same as me. He was the top of his class and he told everyone. I could not become like that.

Grades were not going to define me. Doing what I loved will. So I picked up Accounting & Business management as subjects. I loved business and wanted to start one someday.

It lead me down the path to where I am today. I dropped out of university after just a year. Where I had originally planned to go for 7-10 years. My life is better for this struggle. I appreciate this teacher for putting me through this. Without this, I wouldn’t be who I am today.