BITTERSWEET ADVICE by Julissa

BITTERSWEET ADVICE by Julissa - May 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was in the 11th grade, I thought I was challenging myself just by taking an extra math course even after I completed the mathematics requirement to graduate high school. I felt that if I took the extra year of mathematics, I would be achieving so much. In fact, I didn't even want to take the course; I did it to improve my GPA. With that mindset, I decided to enroll myself in a trigonometry course with a teacher I had never even had feedback on, Mr. Gettinger.

In my first day in the class, I didn’t know what to even expect. I had no clue about what I had gotten myself into. I never really thought of math being one of the subjects I was proficient in, I just knew that I was never horrible at it. So, I stepped into room 30 of Huntington Park Senior High, head down, small steps, and the face of intimidation dominating every facial expression I attempted to make. I finally got the courage to look up, and every single seat was taken, except for the one seat right in the front of the classroom next to the teacher’s desk. As the bell rang, the teacher stepped into the room and said, “everyone listen up.” I looked up and saw a tall, skinny, confident Caucasian man standing right in front of me. I slouched, right after he looked down and said “First thing’s first, all students are required to sit up in my class, no slouching, no slacking, and most definitely no head–resting on the desks. Only because you’d be hurting the desk.” He was hoping to get a laugh out of some of us, but some just smirked. Suddenly everyone’s posture shifted stiffly. He then turned on his computer and projector and proceeded to present a brief power point presentation about himself. Once the presentation was over, he stood in front of the class and said, “I have never met a lazy student in my entire life, there is no such thing as laziness. I believe and can already see the way you students have the ability and potential to strive and succeed any goal in life. YOU are here for a reason and you know that you can most definitely achieve so much. There’s no such thing as wasting instructional time, there is never enough time for learning; which is why we can’t waste a single second in the classroom. So with the being said, everyone take out a piece of paper and a pencil, because hard work and learning starts NOW.”

Everyone looked so inspired. I looked around in confusion, I was so amazed that those few sentences motivated us all to WANT something, to forget about time and remember that our only job as students is to learn. Now, every time I am in the classroom, regardless of what class it is, I remember his wise words. I constantly tell myself, “I can’t waste a single second in the classroom.” And I will hustle and grind every minute of every class until I get things done. Mr. Gettinger is the most hardworking instructor I know, he is my mentor and my educational advisor. He is completely motivated and focused in his work and sets the perfect example of what everyone else should be doing. He’s helped me and so many other students change our learning and working habits, and will continue to inspire us in the classroom.