A Privilege and an Honor

The website http://www.dictionary.com/ defines success as "the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like." I prefer to define success a little differently. To me success is the ability of a man or woman to fail, but then have the courage to get back up, dust off the mud and then try life all over again. Unfortunately, a few people lack the strength and courage to "try life all over again." Instead these individuals become angry or bitter and lose hope. Once they lose hope, fear kicks in and the courage to follow their dreams and achieve a level of greatness is lost sometimes forever.

I have had the privilege and honor of working with some amazing individuals who chose hope, not anger or bitterness, not defeat and not fear. They chose to live courageous and successful lives. I cannot name them all although I wish I could. Chris, for instance, left my class winner of a writing award and went on to pursue his dream of acting. Just this term he debuted in his first college play. In my class Osmel was never satisfied with just good grades. He wanted great ones, and he went on to become president of the business club at the college. Gabriel continues to receive recognitions and awards for his incredible artistic talent. Philp brought a delightful freshness and inspiration to my class, joined PTK and graduated from Miami Dade with honors.

I will also remember those that had to work harder than anyone else, the ones who kept coming back for more punishment and heartache. One such student was Natalie, but to my amazement, when she fell, she got up dusted herself off and courageously came back to conquer the obstacles that stood in her way. She never gave up. In the end she triumphed. Wow!

Of course, this piece would be incomplete without mentioning Yasmin who for me has been an inspiration. If there is anyone that lives a fearless life, it is Yasmin. In addition to her success in my course, she received a departmental award and has also been a dedicated contributor to my online magazine Reflections where she publishes her poetry. Recently she even started her own blog. She defines the true meaning of a life of greatness and success. There are no obstacles big enough to keep her down; she fights and she fights hard. In her eyes, I always see that glimpse of hope that I wish all my students had. I am blessed to know her.

And yes, I know how Ms. Riley feels in the film October Sky when she says she wants to brag to the world about her students because it is their success that makes her life worthwhile. So yes I will brag to the world about how fortunate I am to have met these people and the countless others that have touched my life in so many ways.

I am honored to work with such amazing students who display tremendous courage and perseverance. Even when they receive low scores on a test or a low grade on a paper, my students come back the next day. Although many of them have known failure first hand way too many times, they somehow find the strength to dust it all off, get up and walk into my class again. That alone is an incredible feat. Don't you think?