2nd grade

I think the most significant moment in my life happened in 2nd grade. I was in elementary school, at the blackboard trying to learn long subtraction (e.g., 342 - 289). I was standing in front of the entire class with everyone looking at me and I just couldn't understand it. I was almost in tears from embarrassment and self-doubt. Just as I was ready to turn around and give up, my teacher (Mrs. Brown) said to me, "Oh no you don't! I am not going to let you give up. You stay up there and work thru it. Just take your time and work thru it." I stayed up there, and you know what....I got it! In that one instance everyting clicked, and to this day I still believe there is nothing I can't do.

Lesson learned: There's that one moment in life when every kid needs a "Mrs. Brown".