Trust my luck, I was sent to her class. Madame X, (let's call her that) instantly disliked me, for some odd reason. She seemed to have a preference for the studious types, but not for the more artistic and fun loving ones in the class.
Just before Christmas, we were taught to knit. Apart from thinking it was kind of sexist teaching a class of girls to knit, it's something I do not use today. Do I look like I have time to knit? Do I even want to wear something I've knitted myself? Judging by my failed attempts at knitting in Year 5, my tops or scarves would look like they'd been attacked by moths! Anyhow...
Madame X did not even allow us to talk during our knitting hour, so the exercise wasn't even encouraging team work, or communicative skills. It was just teaching me to become a nervous wreck, not knowing the difference between a knit or a purl stitch, and feeling totally lost and scared to even go and ask her to undo the stitch I'd screwed up. She once sent me out of the class, because I asked my friend to refresh my memory as to how to knit the purl stitch! So I sat outside in the corridor clicking away at my grey needles. By the end of it, I ended up with a lopsided very bumpy looking snow man and zero confidence in myself.
Year 6 came along and I had a new teacher. Let's call her Madame Y. She quickly took a liking to me and slowly I started to rediscover myself and regain my confidence. She really encouraged me to discover the artist in me. A group of friends and I wrote a children's book for a project and I took care of the illustrations with three of my friends. Years before, I used to write dismal essays, but Madame Y gave us interesting titles and told us to believe in ourselves and to let our imagination run wild. So I started writing and discovering the power of words and transmitting my emotions through those same words.
It's amazing how easy it is to let someone convince you that you are worthless, not good enough, weak or a failure. But it is even more incredible how one person can give you the strength to believe in yourself, strive for what you think is unattainable and help you get back on your feet.
It's just like riding a bike. You need someone to hold the back while you pedal haphazardly. The thought of them being behind you makes you feel secure, but once you gain your confidence and they let go of the back, you're pedalling away, feeling the wind blow against your face. What a rush of adrenalin that is, and you're ready to face the world with your new found confidence!!