Responsibility by Maria

Responsibility by Maria - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

The most important lesson I learned from my teacher was when I attended college after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). I attended public school through the 9th grade and received my GED at age 17. I attended Bee County College and received a clerk/typist certificate. I moved to Austin and was working for the State of Texas when I had the accident. Due to the severity of the injury I was given the opportunity to return to school and re-train as a clerk-typist. Although, I could not hold a job as a secretary. I stayed home for a number of years and then decided to continue my education in the field of education. Before I applied for acceptance to Texas A&M University - Kingsville; I would meet a teacher who would take the time from her busy schedule to mentor me. I wasn't an active student yet. She taught me the important lesson that "I am responsible for my own learning, there are no exceptions". The teacher informed me of the Health and Wellness Center at the University and that they would accommodate me with the necessary support services and modifications to help me reaching my goal successfully in my endeavor to become an educator. At this point and time, being "...responsible for my own learning, ..." took on a new meaning for me. Especially when she said "there are no exceptions". We talked about how my injuries were not a reason to believe that I could not succeed. She talked of success stories about students with special needs. She explained how I know what accommodations I need to succeed. Therefore, success was my responsibility.

Taking responsibility not only meant applying study skills learned before the TBI injury, but also adhering to the rules and regulations of the Health and Wellness Center in order to work as a team with each teacher to implement support services and/or modifications needed to succeed in each class. To accomplish this goal of "team work", much collaboration is needed between all three parties. This responsibility is all mine.