Wow, this story is excellent, Dascha! It was one of those where I was asking myself while reading, did this really happen? Which I think means that you struck a perfect balance between believability and astonishment, in terms of the reader's experience. I also love how you included the note at the end about what inspired you to write the story—this is helpful insight to see how other fiction writers come up with their ideas.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think the end notes really add to the story for a lot of readers. I don't always include them, as I think it would be too much.
I was told I couldn't play the flute in band because "flute was for girls." I was assigned the trombone. I quit after a year and started playing guitar. Some teachers shouldn't be teachers.
I'm glad you left and made your own choice. It's too bad you didn't get to learn flute. That reminds me of another music related story from childhood. When I was a little older at a different school, I wanted to learn an instrument. The school's policy was only to allow students who had already had prior outside instruction to do so. We were poor so that was impossible for me. I never learned an instrument either.
In my case, it was not too late. I discovered I was not tone deaf when taking guitar lessons in middle age. My guitar teachers were encouraging, and caring teachers. Happy ending.
This was a lot of fun to read! I had a middle school art teacher who told me I had so little art talent that I shouldn’t even bother to look at art because I would never understand it. I carried that belief with me a long time into adulthood. At the other extreme it was the encouragement and belief of two high school teachers that made me believe I had a talent for writing. I wish all teachers understood the power they have to shape lives.
They really do have the power to change lives for better or for worse. I had several English teachers who loved my writing and encouraged me. To this day, I can't draw at all. I wish someone had encouraged me there.
I was lucky and never realized until reading this story. I truly am absolutely tone deaf but love to sing. I attended an elementary school without a choir and so joined the church choir. We were all welcome and were encouraged to sing with all our hearts. I was even placed right out front because of my height. What a gift that was!! And it took this story for me to find the gratitude toward that wonderful woman who welcomed me with grace and joy. 🥰
I'm so glad and grateful with you that she was such a positive person in your life! Those people are treasures! My grade eight teacher Mr. Mahler was that for me. He saw that I was gifted in math and let me work through the math text on my own then obtained a grade ten textbook for me. I finished that as well.
Unfortunately, the grade ten teacher, Mr. Slaughter (aptly named) killed my love of math. He failed me on the first math test, though every answer was correct, because he hadn't yet taught the method by which I solved the equations.
Great story, Dascha. Revenge fantasy is satisfying reading, and writing. Not all teachers have their students interests in mind. Nor are all teachers mentors. We both triumphed over these experiences. Experiences that prolonged self-doubt which we eventually kicked to the curb. Thanks for sharing, Dascha.
I was also thought talentless in the subject of music by my middle school music teacher, before I got into a high school of fine arts as one of the top 3 candidates, played the violin, then got into a conservatory for the university as one of the top 4 candidates. Even in high school, my egotistical violin teacher tried to demean me, saying I played bad, but at the same time, I got an offer by one of the famous soloists who was also playing first violin in Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to go to Berlin and become his pupil. So, when it comes to music, or art for that matter, never ever believe just one person's opinion, because it's daunting how mistaken they turn out to be sometimes.
I think they may be jealous in the aspect of "I tried everything and still couldn't, so why the hell she gets to do it when we have such a gap between us in terms of experience". I don't know, all those years I spent in the music world gave me my reflux and taught me how people can have such big egos.
Wow, this story is excellent, Dascha! It was one of those where I was asking myself while reading, did this really happen? Which I think means that you struck a perfect balance between believability and astonishment, in terms of the reader's experience. I also love how you included the note at the end about what inspired you to write the story—this is helpful insight to see how other fiction writers come up with their ideas.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think the end notes really add to the story for a lot of readers. I don't always include them, as I think it would be too much.
I was told I couldn't play the flute in band because "flute was for girls." I was assigned the trombone. I quit after a year and started playing guitar. Some teachers shouldn't be teachers.
I'm glad you left and made your own choice. It's too bad you didn't get to learn flute. That reminds me of another music related story from childhood. When I was a little older at a different school, I wanted to learn an instrument. The school's policy was only to allow students who had already had prior outside instruction to do so. We were poor so that was impossible for me. I never learned an instrument either.
That is a shame. It is never too late. 🙂
In my case, it was not too late. I discovered I was not tone deaf when taking guitar lessons in middle age. My guitar teachers were encouraging, and caring teachers. Happy ending.
As a guitar teacher, I am glad to hear it. Yes, you can train your ears. I did.
That makes me happy! 😊
I have bad arthritis in my hands. I can't knit anymore. Sadly, I don't think I could play an instrument now.
This was a lot of fun to read! I had a middle school art teacher who told me I had so little art talent that I shouldn’t even bother to look at art because I would never understand it. I carried that belief with me a long time into adulthood. At the other extreme it was the encouragement and belief of two high school teachers that made me believe I had a talent for writing. I wish all teachers understood the power they have to shape lives.
They really do have the power to change lives for better or for worse. I had several English teachers who loved my writing and encouraged me. To this day, I can't draw at all. I wish someone had encouraged me there.
I was lucky and never realized until reading this story. I truly am absolutely tone deaf but love to sing. I attended an elementary school without a choir and so joined the church choir. We were all welcome and were encouraged to sing with all our hearts. I was even placed right out front because of my height. What a gift that was!! And it took this story for me to find the gratitude toward that wonderful woman who welcomed me with grace and joy. 🥰
I'm so glad and grateful with you that she was such a positive person in your life! Those people are treasures! My grade eight teacher Mr. Mahler was that for me. He saw that I was gifted in math and let me work through the math text on my own then obtained a grade ten textbook for me. I finished that as well.
Unfortunately, the grade ten teacher, Mr. Slaughter (aptly named) killed my love of math. He failed me on the first math test, though every answer was correct, because he hadn't yet taught the method by which I solved the equations.
That's crazy!! But unfortunately not as uncommon an attitude as we would hope. I have been witness to such sad behaviour. 😪
He was an angry man in general.
Great story, Dascha. Revenge fantasy is satisfying reading, and writing. Not all teachers have their students interests in mind. Nor are all teachers mentors. We both triumphed over these experiences. Experiences that prolonged self-doubt which we eventually kicked to the curb. Thanks for sharing, Dascha.
Thanks, Barb. And thanks for the great prompt!
You are welcome, good discussion everyone.
I was also thought talentless in the subject of music by my middle school music teacher, before I got into a high school of fine arts as one of the top 3 candidates, played the violin, then got into a conservatory for the university as one of the top 4 candidates. Even in high school, my egotistical violin teacher tried to demean me, saying I played bad, but at the same time, I got an offer by one of the famous soloists who was also playing first violin in Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to go to Berlin and become his pupil. So, when it comes to music, or art for that matter, never ever believe just one person's opinion, because it's daunting how mistaken they turn out to be sometimes.
Or maybe jealous of your talent!
I think they may be jealous in the aspect of "I tried everything and still couldn't, so why the hell she gets to do it when we have such a gap between us in terms of experience". I don't know, all those years I spent in the music world gave me my reflux and taught me how people can have such big egos.
They can, for sure. I'm glad you didn't let the naysayers hold you back!
And that’s why some people shouldn’t be teachers/work with kids! Great story, Dascha.
Thanks, Justin. Some teachers have a true vocation as I suspect you do. Others clearly do not.