My Former Student

My Former Student

Many years ago, I was given my first honors English class, 7^th grade.  Since I had never taught honors before, I had no idea what to expect.  My English teacher colleague warned that the honors classes “are just not what they used to be.”  That was a refrain I’d hear throughout the years. 

But this particular class was amazing!  We had deep conversations about world issues, about identity, about race.  We discussed important literature and even adopted a new book that the whole grade would eventually read because one kid had read it in his old school and loved it. It was that exciting of a year. And many of them were extraordinary writers too.  I created the school’s first annual “Celebration of Writing “ because of that class, because their writing needed to be showcased. I couldn’t believe my good fortune to be able to enjoy such curious, motivated, smart and talented people in my midst.

In addition to Stella, David and Monica, one student stood out: Steve (not his real name). Steve was an amazing thinker, and a fabulous writer!  He was perhaps the only 7^th grader ever to use a semicolon perfectly!  He wrote a beautiful, nuanced piece on Nunley’s Carousel, a local amusement place, with that perfectly placed semicolon in tow.  So impressive!  I asked the Social Studies teacher what she thought of Steve. She thought he was bright; I thought he was brilliant. 

A few years later I would see Steve walking from the high school, reading about the Protestant Reformation, so engrossed in reading that he barely looked up as he walked.  It was no surprise that he excelled in all his classes and became the high school valedictorian.  I went to hear his speech at graduation and congratulated him and his proud parents and family.

Several years went by and his mom sent me his graduation notice from Harvard Law School. She wrote: “Since you were such a champion of Steve’s, I thought you’d like to know what he’s up to so many years later!” From time to time, I’d run into his aunt and cousins in the neighborhood and hear updates about Steve.  (I had taught his cousin as well.)  It turns out that Steve’s claim to fame is that he has clerked for not one, but two SUPREME COURT JUSTICES!  He initially worked for one, returned to a prestigious law firm and made partner, and then was asked back on the Court, by a different Justice.  Mind you – it is not my favorite Supreme Court Justice but nonetheless, I’m in awe.  I can certainly say – I knew you when…