Why are teachers blamed when students fail to learn in school?

I came from a poor family; it is no excuse to be a failure. I did not know any English when I went to school and had difficulty in memorizing lessons.

Nuns make learning a game. In primary grade, one wore a green crown with a green star as a beginning reader. As one progressed, one got a red one, then silver and, finally, the gold one.

In higher grades, spelling became a baseball game. The first desk was first base, etc. We had teams. The winning team had a chance at a monthly prize. The pennant came at the end of the year. It got me motivated to study so as to not let my team down.

In junior high, prizes were given at the end of the year for not missing school, for effort shown in studies and every subject students were proficient in. I ended graduating fourth in my class of 17 students and won first prize in health and science; fourth in religion.

Later, I became a nurse aide. Siblings also succeeded in school, winning scholarships. One became a nurse, another a school teacher; a brother, an agronomist.

We all learn at different paces. Using games helped me to learn.

Gabrielle DeMoras, Lewiston

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