Now That I Know

I graduated from EGHS in 2010 and now I sit on the other side of the desk in my classroom each day. Though I wish I could say I had the same appreciation as I do now for my teachers during my time in the EG school system, I now look back on my time as a student in the system and am eternally grateful, knowing even more so how much teachers really put into each day.

I try to channel all that I learned in the classroom into every interaction with my students each day. EG teachers are intelligent and hardworking, kind and helpful, but most importantly, these teachers care about their students. Middle and high school can be a difficult time for many students, but my teachers in high school made sure to let me know that they all valued me as a student and as an individual. Whether it was in [social studies] class learning about RI's rich history, channeling my transcendentalist self in ... American Literature class, or learning derivatives in ... Calculus class, what mattered most at the end of the day was that I knew these teachers cared about me and valued me and my opinion. After leaving the safe space that was EGHS and moving away to Boston, I felt prepared to tackle the difficult courses at my college. More importantly, I felt confident enough to become one of few female computer science majors, and never doubted my ability to succeed. EGHS also instilled in me the importance of my civic duty of helping others along the way, and I have been volunteering in schools and with children since I left EGHS. I can only hope to instill these same values in my students for years to come, and I hope my students all feel the same level of self-worth, care and respect that I did during my time in EG.

Meg Bednarcik
EGHS Class of  2010