Rough Draft Personal Essay

Shy is the way I have always been. Being an introvert has suited me just fine. It is part of who I have always been. Why would I want or need to change any part of who I am. As time passes things happen in your life that just change who you are. That is what has happened to me.
I was that kid in school who didn’t raise her hand to answer questions. The “refrains from unnecessary talking “was never check off on my report card. Even calling someone on the phone was a difficult task for me. My head would begin to ache and I would feel sick to my stomach. Why would I want to even bother trying to change that?
For years my mom tried to push me out of my shyness. She even talked me into taking a public speaking class. I still don’t know why I let me mother talk me into things. Shaking and all red in the face I somehow made it through the entire class and even passed. Of course I felt sick almost every time I walked into class. Over the years after being married, divorced and being a single mom I have had to become a little less shy. It has always been quite the struggle though. That was until two years that thing changed a lot.
My daughter had just started 2nd grade at a new school. The school she was at was underperforming and I had her moved in hopes of her not falling behind. As fate would have it I was able to move her. She had only been at the new school a full week and the teacher was already calling me on the phone. She told me my daughter was too shy and that she needed to learn real quickly to not be shy. The teacher then told me that she forgot her folder two days and that if she wasn’t a “bus” kid then she would have kept her after school. I was floored. I could not believe I was hearing this only a week into her starting this new school. How did she even know my daughter after a week? I did my best as a parent trying to talk with my daughter about her folder and even suggest that we make a note on her backpack so she would not forget the folder. Two week later it only got worse when the teacher called me at work to tell me she needed to meet with me right away. The next morning I met with the teacher, she was an older woman that could pass more for boot camp instructor rather than a teacher of 2nd grade children. She then informed me that my daughter was too shy and that my daughter had labeled her backpack so not to forget her folder. She told me that my daughter needed to “put her big girl pants on” and remember things instead of making little notes of a reminder. Did I hear her right? I was the one who suggested the label on her back pack. That was the moment, like a light switch going on. I was not going to sit back and just listen to this teacher bully my child because she was shy like me. After several meetings with the principal and the teacher I really wasn’t getting anywhere. Then something happened and I just couldn’t let my shyness get in my way any longer. The teacher pushed my daughter Kaitlyn on the back of the head. Kaitlyn told me what happened and I walked into school the next morning and met with the principal. Imagine that shy little me just storming right in that school like I owned it. I told the principal what happened. She pulled my daughter in and asked her about it. I was so proud the way my daughter told the principal exactly what happened. Of course at first she just looked at me with a look that said please don’t make me talk. I knew that look so well, it was me at her age. The principal listed to my daughter and then sent her back to class. The principal then pulled in the teacher while I was there and asked the teacher what happened. The teacher claimed to be “redirecting” my daughter as she didn’t answer the question quick enough so she thought my daughter wasn’t paying attention. Something came over me and shy little me went right out the door. I must have spoken for what seemed like a half hour straight. I explained how I for once was not going to stand by and remain quiet. I finally told the principal to transfer my daughter to another class immediately. The principal agreed and she was moved. The teacher lasted about another month at that school before another parent came forward as well. Apparently there had been problems for a while with this teacher and the quieter kids. I never realized being shy could get in the way of so many things. Being shy was who I was but when it came to my daughter I just couldn’t let my fear stand in the way anymore. I find myself at times reverting back to being shy but I just think of my daughter and the fear goes away. I speak up much more now and even my daughter has become less shy through all this. Maybe I am rubbing off on her. She is still on the quieter side but I don’t push because I know too someday this will change for her like it did me. It’s amazing the way life can changes things and brings about a whole new you in the process.

Have I completely lost my mind

Do you every feel like you must be crazy? I find myself asking what ever possesed me to take three classes this semester. I must be nuts! Working full time already and being a single mom is another job in intself. I just have to keep reminging myself 4 more classes after this and I graduate. I still think I may be a little nuts though.

First Blog

What exactly do you say on a blog? Does anyone really want to hear what I have to say? This is my first blog and I am hoping to figure this all out by the end