My first teaching placement was humbling. Any illusions that I had of being innately gifted at educating others quickly evaporated. My mentor had lots of opportunities for constructive feedback and provided me with pages of suggestions each time I taught.

My lessons were rich in content, but poor in engagement. Students listened and absorbed, but weren’t particularly challenged. Attempts to use the seventies’ version of technology were laughable.

I remember walking down the hallway at the halfway point in my placement thinking that perhaps this was not the career for me. I was very discouraged, totally exhausted and wanted to quit. Fortunately, I didn’t.

My next placement with a different mentor in a totally new setting was more successful. I’m a quick learner and was determined to use my previous negative experience to promote growth and improvement. I learned, as well, that for me, words of affirmation and encouragement can make a world of difference.