Hi, this is Kit Rea the principal at Vance High School. All of the experiences that we go through each day impact who we are and what we believe. When I was working on my masters degree, one of the assignments involved a project that required us to reflect on specific situations that impacted our lives and helped us form our educational philosophies. I would like to share with you one of my writings from this assignment. It’s called “I am”. 

“I am a student who sits in your class, polite and quiet and always behaved. I should fit in and enjoy this time, but I don’t and I’m not sure why.

I am the student who becomes full of life outside when I can run, jump and climb. A tomboy at heart, I guess in those days, who could beat the boys at most games we played. 

I am the student who struggled in class having trouble with all the reading we had, trying to turn pages as fast as others did but comprehending little and understanding less.

I am the student so filled with fear when it came to oral reports so did the tears. If playing sick did not work and mom sent me on, I would just say ‘I haven’t got the assignment done.’

I am the student diagnosed LD, ‘dyslexia,’  they said, when I was thirteen. Two summers were spent in school to improve and hours of tutoring helped get me through.

I am the student who began to improve with grades rising slightly over the years. But with little confidence and a low self-esteem, the struggle continued and the future, unclear.

I am the student Lib Rotan found. She was my teacher, my savior, one of a kind. She searched my soul and found the key to unlock who I had the potential to be.

I am the student who blossomed at last because a teacher took the time to nurture and care. The relationship formed continued for years because Lib Rotan gave me the confidence to overcome my fears. 

I am the student who has now become teacher, coach, administrator all in one. I hope I can reach the students that I meet giving them parts of what Lib Rotan gave me.

I am your student. Please look at me. Find out who I am and who I want to be. Help lead me and guide me, pick me up when I fall, for I have a future that is exciting and full.”

Lib Rotan was my teacher and coach at Myers Park High School. Lib had such a positive impact on my life that she will always be in my heart.The foundations that she gave me and her beliefs centered me. And are the things I keep in the forefront when dealing with students and teachers. I will always be grateful to Lib Rotan.