As I walked into the primary school, I looked down at my new black shoes—I wanted to be anywhere in the world but this school.
I stood at the classroom door. Before I tried to escape, the door suddenly opened to the sweet voice of Mrs Blackstone, my new teacher.
"We've been waiting for you!" she said gently. With a smile my mum walked away and I was left standing in front of a group of students. Over the next few days, Mrs Blackstone made it her job to find me a new friend.
One spring afternoon, Mrs Blackstone asked me to stay after class. "I'd like to speak with you, Amanda," she said. My mind raced. Had I got bad grades? Had I hurt someone's feelings?
"Are you enjoying your new school?" she asked, sitting comfortably behind her desk. "I want to tell you something, between you and me, not to be shared with anyone else." With her eyebrows raised she continued, "I see something special in you—the way you communicate with others, the kindness you show. I think you have the great potential to be something very important."
I listened attentively to every word.
"I've been a teacher for over twenty-five years; I can see it. But first you have to believe in yourself. That's very important. Remember that and you'll go far," she said. Then she hugged me and said, "See you tomorrow."
Her sweet voice was music to my ears that day. I walked out of her class, not staring at my shoes, but looking straight ahead with my head high. My teacher saw something special in me!
