Education Isn’t Just For One
By O’livia Johnson
Not everyone wants to go to college — I definitely didn’t.
“Are you going to college?” That is the question everyone seems to ask. Not for me. “Will you finish school?” These four words haunted me during high school.
In the middle of my sophomore year, I was dropped from school. I couldn’t handle it; the paralyzing amount of support from those around me was suffocating. I have always had the support of my family and friends, but the constant “do it for me” became too much.
No one in my family has graduated, so being one of the first to do so — to be an example for my younger siblings — should have been a motivation, but all I seemed to feel was pressure and fear. That all changed when one of the teachers from my school reached out and invited me to participate in a program she oversaw called Root 2 Rise — a tutor-mentoring program where high school students learn and lead elementary school classes. The idea of committing to something that involved my biggest flaw, “showing up,” was daunting, but I improved my attendance so that I could give it a shot.
At first, I was wary and hesitant to get too close to these kids I didn’t know, worried that I would disappear again when expectations set in. But after adjusting to the love from the kids and the unwavering support and guidance of the teachers, I grew more confident in my ability not only to show up but to be a leader. After all my uncertainty with school, I realized it was the only place I wanted to be.
Teaching kids how to read, do math, and life skills like tying their shoes or managing emotions has not only brought me fulfillment in my life but also provided a map to help guide me through it. Students go to school not only to learn, but to receive love that they may not experience at home. I go to provide support and guidance, hoping to make a difference in their lives.
I now see myself as a role model for these kids and a guiding light for the future generations of my family. So now, when I get asked if I am going to college, I can answer “Yes.” There is nothing I want to do more than to teach kids exactly like the ones who have changed my life. College is important to me because it will provide me with the tools and experience to become the teacher and leader I hope to be — for my students, family, and myself.
College isn’t distant or frightening like it used to be — it is a cup being handed to me so I can help fill another’s cup.
