“From Tears to Triumph: A Journey of Resilience”

Have you ever felt like no one understands you? When I was in elementary school, I felt that way almost every day. My teacher didn’t seem to like me, and some of the other kids were just plain mean. But what happened next changed everything…

It started when I was in elementary school. I can remember one of my teachers would get so frustrated with me because it took longer for me to understand lessons than the rest of the class. So much so that at one point while hovering over me, she slammed her open hand on my small arm, causing me to break down in tears from the sting of the impact. I never did mention it to my parents.

On another occasion, the class was in recess, and I remember wanting to join a game of hopscotch the popular girls were enjoying. I didn’t understand the concept or the rules at the time as I was not made aware of them. All I saw were happy girls interacting with each other, playing hopscotch. So, I jumped in and started hopping on the grid as I’d seen the girls doing. Well, that was a mistake and one I’d learn the hard way, yet again. One of the girls walked up to me, pushed me off the grid, and started pulling my hair in anger. I had never fought anyone until that day. I didn’t even know how to fight back. I recall grabbing her hair and lightly pulling back until I felt teachers separating us. Shortly after that…