Who am I? Who influenced me?

Who am I? Who influenced me?


Mentors…
People continue to shape my life everyday. People have inspired me in many different contexts; whether it’s on a field, institution or in a home. The impact that people have had continues to be a moulding structure.

Among the many who have made a difference in my life are teachers. Teachers are by far very inspirational, and considerably in my life. They have redirected and directed, encouraged, challenged, guided, motivated, disciplined, and modeled a life worth following. To this day they continue to support me either by their echoes or their presence. They have changed me as a person along my journey of life.

Although this took some serious deep thought I decided to keep it to a minimal and just focusing on educators.

I first loved school was when I was in Heather Saseila’s class. She engraved the fundamentals of learning. I learned the importance of learning and the value of education. She created the desire to teach.

Debra Curtis was my grade eight teacher. I first met her in grade seven when most of my friends had her as their educator. When they introduced me to her I thought she was ‘cool’ for she had the same unruly hair as me. It was chemistry from the start. As a shy student I was awed by her personality and charisma. She was able to relate to us as individuals. She reached out and provided strength and hope. She brought out courage and enthusiasm for life. She provided me the foundation (like planting a seed) of independence.

If there is one person that really stands out is Mary Lou Facey. She taught me to love and to trust. I first met her in grade nine (gym class) and she continued to be my teacher for multiple other classes. She encouraged me to play on the school field hockey team where her ways and philosophy really spoke to me over the years. ‘The brave don’t live forever but the cautious don’t live at all.’ She taught me to stand up for myself, to stand tall and challenge what I believed it. She always said ‘Grit, guts, and determination leads to success.

Wendy Price boy will I never forget her. Perhaps since I lived in her office for most of my high school days. As my acting guidance counsellor she directed me and opened my eyes to a different worldview. One not narrowed to my culture, one of acceptance and trust. Opening up and laughter gets you far in life. She brought laughter back to life.

As I moved away from home for the first time to go to college I decided to go pursue my education far away from family. One of the first people I met was Louise Signoretti. To this day I don’t know why I was connected to her. Perhaps it was the fact that she was able to understand me. She appeared to comprehend where I stood and my thoughts and draw them to the surface. She had that kind of compassion looking out for her students. What she didn’t say was the telling part of what I heard. Actions speak louder then words.

These women were at my side when I was trying to form an identity. I was seeking for truth. Having come from a traditional Portuguese family I was unable to do things that many other teens my age were doing. I was forced to get a job at a young age and to continue working through school. Although I do not regret

Ah yes Craymer Forth, who could ever forget Craymer. This little man who had love for his students greater then his heart could carry. This little man had high hopes for many if not his entire class. He brought love into the classroom and the process to think for our selves. Spoon-feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon. He taught me courage and faith and the yearning to succeed.

Debra, Mary Lou and Wendy all were present when I was a young confused teen. I was shy and attempted to hide beneath the surface. These women didn’t let me slide into that bubble they were able to see something in me that I didn’t see and drew it out. Courage and love of life was the outcome. I was aware that love was present in life and that it was ok to love. These were common women with a caring touch. They made me want to be more like them, leaders. Having come from a traditional Portuguese family I was unable to do things that many other teens my age were doing. I was forced to get a job at a young age, and care for my siblings; I had responsibility inside the home. However, these women helped me learn to accept that and hope for the future with change. They helped me make one of by biggest decisions of life, to continue my education. They created a realization that there is life outside the home. I moved away to continue my education.

By the time I went away from home I had a desire to succeed. I wanted to be me not live through someone else’s expectations. I wanted my own! Craymer and Louise helped me really bring my own goals into perspective. They taught me not to settle for less then what I really wanted. Warmth and commitment helped me through the most difficult challenges of my academic and personal journey. With personal battles they provided encouragement.

As I look back to these people I realize that I did not learn what they taught in the classroom but what they were as people. They built me for the future by encouraging and supporting. Although many are not near or I have lost touch their echoes speak loudly. Just like the poem footprints God was there and carried me through my most troublesome times in my life. These people have formed who I am today. I often reminisce about the past and think of what it was about these people that have formed my very being. It was their optimistic attitudes, their warnings of what may lay in the road ahead; it was their humour, their insights and their faith in me. Not one gave up on me. They all lead by example (what they did and who they were). I owe them thanks to what I have become.

I am often reminded of the Serenity Prayer
“God grand me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Heroes…

As an Olympic enthusiast I am often reminded of Silken Laumann a female Canadian rower. What constitutes a hero for me is one person who hade a difference in my life. In 1992 Laumann underwent a serious injury 3 weeks prior to the Olympics it was said that she wound perform at the Olympics. However, she didn’t settle for that she had courage and strength to continue. To me those are the most desirable characteristics anyone could have. Courage and the strength to continue can carry one far. She made a difference in my life. She created that inner strength and that courage to go after the things you really desire.

G.I. Jane (the character in the movie). Wouldn’t all women want to be her? I mean perseverance and patience was the key to her success. She battled through all the stereotypes and conquered her goal. She taught me with a little faith you can do what you want no matter what society and those close to you say, go after your goals. Patience is the key as long as you put in the effort.

To be a strong leader one needs personal commitment and concrete actions. And who best exemplified that then Mahatma Gandhi. He devoted his life to something he truly believed in. He searched for truth, he trusted in God, he guided, and he led. To me that makes a devoted and inspirational leader. He is an image of who I want to become. I want to lead (which is why I want to be a teacher) and in leading I hope to inspire those around me. Through my convictions and through my character and with help from the community I hope to lead the community to the right path.

Finally, Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa is also my hero’s for their infinite wisdom. They lead and guide through their wisdom. Through them I am able to understand some meaning and how to shape what I believe in to a more practical sense. These are my hero’s because she represented all that is good and holy in a world filled with pain and suffering. They replaced violence and disregard for human life with patience, kindness and stewardship.

In conclusion, many people come into our lives for various reasons however; we often keep those who have left their prints on our soul and our heart close. They enter for various reasons sent by the almighty father above. Each of my hero’s and mentors all shaped me by creating an image of who I wanted to be. They provided support through their actions and commitments to me. Like the proverb says it takes a community to raise a child. Each person has taken part of the structure. Its like a puzzle each piece creates a new form. In general what each have taught me is to be involved and stand up for what you believe in. No matter the sacrifice, fulfill your true hearts desires. I learned to grow. Family (in the broad sense) is a group experience of love and support.

One of my teachers gave me this awhile back and I often wonder when will that day come.

The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core strength within you that survives all hurt.