You've got This - Part I

Primary Teacher: “'Really' has two l’s not one. Are you really that stupid?”

Primary Teacher: “Michael! You can’t even copy the words down right from the board! Sort it out.”

Primary Teacher: “I don’t think writing is your strong point. Why don’t you just try drawing the story?”

Primary Teacher: “If you can’t spell properly you will end up being a dustbin man.”

Me: “My dad’s a dustbin man.”

Primary Teacher: “You have a great imagination but if you can’t spell, use correct punctuation and nobody can understand it, what’s the point?”

Secondary Teacher: “This is like reading Sanskrit!”

Secondary Teacher (talking to someone we knew was important because they had a clipboard, in front of the whole class): “I have a very low-level class, some can’t even spell their name correctly, ha ha...”

Secondary Teacher: “You just never try, maybe if you tried you might be able to actually achieve something.”

Me: “I am trying.”

Secondary Teacher: “Your writing looks like it belongs on another planet sometimes, Michael.”

Secondary Teacher: “Your writing is very low level. Maybe you should stick to sports. You’re good at rugby, I believe.”

Secondary Teacher: “You’re 15 going on 16! Why can’t you read?”

Secondary Teacher (at a parents evening, something my mum usually refused to attend): “Seriously this kid is just causing a MASSIVE upset in the classroom. He can’t even read or write properly. What are we going to do?”

Mum: “We will just have to find something that does work.”

Secondary Teacher: “Hang on a minute … do you have a daughter in this school? Are you Beth’s mum?”

Mum (proudly): “Yes, that’s right. I’m Beth’s mum as well.”

Secondary Teacher (after 15 intense seconds of silence): “Wow! You must be so disappointed in Michael.”

I wish these where made up but they’re all completely, shamelessly true.

I should think most of the teachers who said them are probably still teaching. I'm not as old as I look!

Like I say, I did have some great teachers but, looking back, most of these were outside of the classroom.

Madness

Talking in this way to a young, anxious individual who was already being bullied by his peers for a number of reasons – and who clearly didn’t need his ‘higher authority figures’ joining in – is madness.

Because of school, I actually veered well away from writing for a long time.

Is there a word for a fear of pens?* 

The problem is I still hear so many more horror stories from friends and young people sharing their experiences of teachers who have trampled over their confidence in the name of standards, test results and a quick laugh in the classroom.

It is my firm belief writing is for everyone.

So, I'll say this quietly so everyone can hear:

We are all quirky, strong, interesting individuals with fascinating stories itching to be told, but some have completely lost their confidence to write.

It shouldn't be this way.

You've got this!

Words have such power.

Although they can leave you in the darkest pit of self-deprecating despair, they can also elevate you beyond what you thought was ever possible.

If you’re a dyslexic ‘disappointment’ reading this too, nice to meet you.

You’ve got this, I promise. 

In the second part of this blog, I’m going to share with you how this ‘disappointment’ from a small-minded town in Derbyshire found the courage to pick the pen back up and write about things that mattered to him.

In this way, writing became his pathway to a unique career and lifestyle, with so many amazing opportunities and new friendships.

And, most of all, happiness.

I remember what my teachers said. Their words have always stuck with me and, for too long a time, they defined me.

But not now.

* There is. I looked it up. Stylophobia.