Essay1-Draft
English 1301-36420
17 July 2015

Traumatized by a Reading and Writing Experience

As a kid, most of my early childhood memories about learning to read and write were traumatizing for me. I went through most of my school days disliking reading and writing. I was not extremely confident in my ability to perform and keep up with my peers. I felt like I could not do anything right.
One school morning I recollect, it was my first day as a third grader. In a class, all I could smell was crayons and glue as I sat in my desk. Then I hear my teacher calling my name in a classroom activity to read aloud. I took a deep breath and began to read, then realized I could not pronounce must of the words in the book. I was pausing unnecessarily and stuttering out the words. The passage was small but seems like hours had passed as I read slowly. My palms were sweating and my voice was cracking. The students were laughing softly and huffing and puffing, expressing how impatient they were with me. My teacher did nothing to control the students. I finished reading then I put my head down quickly and cried. I was awfully emotional and felt worthless. I was consequently embarrassed and felt humiliated. This teacher was the worst ever I thought to myself. I don't think she knew how to handle this type of a problem. My teacher sent a note home to my parents telling them that I need tutoring for reading.
I took the letter home to my parents to read and sign. I felt like my parent would take up for me. Instead, I was disciplined and scolded for my lack of reading and writing skills. I would sit for hours at the dinner table reading and writing with no help. I thought to myself what would compel my parents and teacher to be unwilling to extend their knowledge when I needed help in reading. No one took the time to teach me or encourage me. I was punished physically for misspelled words, incorrect sentences, pronouncing the words wrong and reading slow, etcetera. I continued to struggle with my ability to focus and comprehend at home and school. My homework was returned to school corrected for me, without my mom explaining to me what was wrong. I could not go outside to play with the other kids. As months passed still, I sat for hours looking at a book with no guidance. I was expected to teach myself to read. It took me all of the school year and the next year to rebuild myself esteem just to improve my reading skills. After all of the scolding, spankings and the kids taunting me. It was not until the fifth grade when my reading and writing skills drastically improved. Despite the trauma, I maintain my confidence and reading skills throughout high school.
The fear of reading and writing was conquered and my confidence was reinstated. I feel that it has made a huge positive experience on me. I am not perfect, I'm a confident person despite all. I'm willing to take on any challenges that face me. It has taught me how to be a better person, teacher and parent as well as a good listener. I'm an incredibly companionate person when it comes to others feelings. I take extra care in my kids' education and their teachers. I stress to them every day the importance of believing in themselves and getting a good education.
Finally, after the most dramatic learning experience I feel that anyone can have. I have turned out to be a truly positive person. My childhood reading and writing experience was incredibly dramatic and uncomfortable. I was able to improve my reading and writing skills on my own and in the meanwhile (SUGGEST USING MEANTIME) build confidence within myself. Overall I have become a better person because of my rough learning experiences. I have exceeded a great deal of expectations. If you believe, you can achieve.
GREAT STORY