Essay #2

Final
Sam
Mr.Salsich
8th Grade English
9/29/09

To wake up in the early morning and dread going to school and sports because of teachers and coaches is the worst feeling. Through one's childhood, it is probable to have a negative incident with a teacher or coach. Whether it is their problem or your problem, it is important to work out negative first impressions, so you can have a successful school or sport season. In chapter two Scout starts her first day at school, and she hates it. This is because of the new teacher Ms. Caroline, who is unfair to Scout for the way she was taught to read. After Scout read the alphabet, My First Reader, and the Mobile Register, Ms. Caroline figured out that Scout was a literate and gave her a glare of distaste. Ms. Caroline assumed that Scout's father Atticus, had taught her how to read the wrong way, when Scout had actually taught herself when she sat on her father's lap while he was reading. Again, Ms. Caroline assumed that Scout's father taught her how to write the wrong way. When Scout was caught writing a letter to Dill, Ms. Caroline sneered at her to tell Atticus to stop teaching her to write the wrong way. Calpurnia was at fault this time because she had made Scout write a sentence from the bible on rainy days. But in Calpurina's teaching, there was no sloppiness. Scout just had to please her and she rewarded her with bread, sugar, and butter. Further more, when Walter did not have lunch money Ms. Caroline tried persuading Walter to take it and pay her back tomorrow. Walter was very shy and was not replying so Scout respectfully on Walters behalf, said he is a Cunningham. Ms. Caroline did not understand this so Scout said bluntly, "Walter hasn't got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can't use any stove wood." This did not settle well with Ms. Caroline who hauled Scout to her desk and wacked her hand with a ruler and had her stand in the corner for the rest of the afternoon. Ms. Caroline does not really understand the way of living in Maycomb, so the innocent things that Scout said ended her up in the corner with stinging hands. In my life a situation similar to Scout's that I can relate to happened last year in a basketball tryout. There is nothing more frustrating to see my friend put forth all his effort into a drill and have the coach question his intentions just for showing a smile. In a certain passing drill my friend, Colin, and his partner tripped over each other and got up smiling at their mistake. The coach came over in a furious frenzy and assumed they were not being serious. His comments were harsh, belittling, and non constructive. Due to the coach's reaction Colin felt he was not wanted on the team. Everyone heard the coach say to Colin, "If you don't want to be here, don't come back!" I find it ironic that Colin who had a strong passion for basketball did not show the next day. Throughout the season this coach gave an unpleasant experience to many other kids. It was common for him to loose his temper at half time when we were losing. This would make the team nervous and perform even worse. Scout and Colin were held back from their true potential by an adult that restrained them. Both Scout and Colin had a tremendous amount of talent and were shot down by an adult. Colin could have been a huge asset to the basketball team and Scout could thrive in reading and writing, they were never given the chance. Due to non constructive punishment, Colin and Scout may never see their true potential.