My Amazing Student

Four years ago, I volunteered at school to become part of a mentoring program for ninth graders. Our school wanted to make an effort to ease the transition from middle school to high school by pairing teachers with incoming students. That year I won the student lottery because my mentee student was Lizzie G.

Lizzie was the sweetest young lady. She came to my office once or twice a week, and we talked about school, homework, family, all kinds of things that were important to her. She was a good student and I enjoyed our meetings. I enjoyed listening to her stories about her wonderful family, her studies, and what she was learning in class.

Once Lizzie left ninth grade the following year, I tried to keep an eye on her, to speak to her in the hall, and to help her if she needed anything. However, she was a diligent student, and she matured and worked hard needing little from me.

About a month ago or six weeks ago she came to me for help with a video. She was applying to college and needed help producing a video resume/interview. She was applying to Gallaudet. Lizzie is a hearing student who has exceptional skill in American Sign Language. Her video was part of the process for applying to the world's most renown deaf school, Gallaudet University in Washington, D. C.

In this morning's paper I read a lovely article that features Lizzie. Lizzie popped by about two weeks ago to let me know that she had been accepted at Gallaudet, no simple feat for a hearing student. I was so pleased when I read the article this morning. She is such a wonderful girl. I know that she will do so very well. Way to go Lizzie!!