On Monday I delivered a speech at the Induction Ceremony for our school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Although I passed on the role of Advisor three years ago, I did oversee the program for over two decades so this night was pure nostalgia to speak to current and new members for such a special occasion. There is indeed irony in my position with this elite society, because I was not seen for myself during my tumultuous teenage years. I was a spinning top desperate to escape the abuse or worse the denial from the start of double digits at home yet like a whirling dervish I lived out those years like an outlaw, unsanctioned and lost. But a life can heal even when it can’t forgive. My 31 years of teaching high school English acted as a restorative beyond my expectations. I am here to tell you, being a teacher is gold. You can make a difference. I am indebted to the hundreds of young people who have engaged with me in the pursuit of Literary/Life Analysis: they have taught me much. I can’t recognize the woman I was when I started this career for she became far more than I could have ever dreamt, strong and remarkable.

This blog post is my speech, (at the end of it I include an audio of myself reading it because speeches are meant to be heard.) I hope my simple words elicit hopeful encouragement for anyone.

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