So I somehow stumbled upon a conversation with a few of my students the other day about the whole book fiasco and I just wanted to reiterate how freaking proud I am of what you all wrote in those pages and that I lost my job fighting for your/our freedom of speech. I would do it again a thousand times and my only regret is not being able to get them published. Somehow, sometime I do believe they will get out there in the hands of those young adults that most need to know they are not alone, but I am learning that "my time" is not always the right time.
So again, thank you all so much for having the courage and depth to let your secrets/fears/desires/wants/feelings out into the light for others to see. That is a rare and beautiful step to take; one most adults will never have the guts to do.
Love to you all!!!!!!!!!
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4 years later and I am still the same person as I was when I had my part in the Catharsis book we wrote. Still quiet, shy, insecure, low self-esteem, and no belief in myself. No friends, the black sheep of the entire family. How can I get out of this shell? How do I break out? After my entire life being this way, how do I change it? How do I start believing in myself?
To the greatest teacher I've ever had: My world and perceptions are constantly changing; trouble arises and dissipates. I never thought I'd be where I am today, not that I'm in a bad position but at the arrogant age of 18 I thought I knew it all. To this day I use and apply the things I learned in your class, but to this day I have not met someone with the courage to do what you did. From taking the risk of teaching beyond the requirements to pushing forth with the book. While it may not have been the act heard around the world, I'd like to think so according to the quote I was assigned which I still remember to this day: "The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual, for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost." So thank you for everything.
-David Jimenez '08
It's a shame that things ended the way they did, you really did get the figurative short end of the stick in that situation. You made a huge impact on the graduating class of 2008, your efforts were not in vain. Personally, I believe that a lot of us learned a lot more about ourselves in your senior English class then we would have in a variety of other situations. Thank you for giving us the gift of understanding all those years ago, a little patience can go a long way.
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