When I was in middle school, the movie, “Stand and Deliver” had a great impact on me. I was in a special education math class due to a learning disability. I suppose the teacher introduced us to this movie as a way to inspire us. The story is about a teacher, with unconventional teaching methods. He drives his students to learn Calculus, despite familial hardships, poor past grades, and other social challenges. Ultimately, 18 of his students pass the Advanced Placement Calculus Exam. This all occurs in Garfield High school, a school on the verge of de-certification. (taken from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094027/plotsummary on November 22nd, 2014).
Growing up with Cerebral Palsy, which included a mild learning disability, everything was a challenge for me. I remember when simple addition and subtraction was a struggle. Suffice to say, I needed teachers with a lot of patience. Moreover, I needed teachers who could teach me in a different way. Mostly, I needed teachers who would believe in my ability to overcome and reach my potential. “Stand and Deliver” taught me that if you believe in yourself nothing and no one can stop you from accomplishing your goals. You might even come across barriers and blocks along the road. They may seem insurmountable. All the same, never give up. If the passion and drive exists in you, you can find a way around any obstacle.
The movie is based on a true story. In the movie, each day was a struggle for the students. Many came from single parent homes. Many of their parents did not believe in a college education. To them, it was all about surviving. It must have felt like a constant fight for a lot of these students. Despite these life challenges, their teacher taught them to respect themselves and recognize their worth. He taught them the power of a great work ethic. Dedication and determination go along way. One way or the other, this teacher was not going to give in to excuses. He taught his students accountability and self-honor.
While the message of “Stand and Deliver” was very empowering and inspirational, life may seem overwhelming sometimes. Whether you are encountering life transitions, family struggles, or bouts of self-doubt, the journey may seem long and arduous at best. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is be kind and gentle with yourself while you honor your cycle or process. I know for myself, I spent many years unable to recognize and celebrate my successes. I cannot begin to count the many times people told me to stop being so hard on myself. Recently, I really started to recognize and embrace my strengths. After feeling really down on myself, I attended a free “Dependable Strengths” class to help me figure out future career goals. Between my own self-exploration, as well as the feedback from others, I was able to identify my strengths: creativity, courage, heart, and adaptability, just to name a few. Likewise, I began to see how my writing makes a difference. I know I have something to offer. Lastly, I have many future goals and will not give up on any one of them. Ultimately, the message still remains the same: believe, honor, and regard yourself. Know your worth and shoot for the stars. You are amazing with incredible potential. All you need is self-belief, dedication, and passion. The rest will follow.
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