I’m embarrassed to admit that I have few memories of my elementary education. I don’t actually remember a formal lesson connected to this experience, but it involved my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Posis.

 

We had to write a poem and it was a completely new exercise for me. What made an impression on me was her response and support of my poem. She had me read it to the class. It was the first time that I remember being recognized for something that I did. It made me feel special. She encouraged me to keep a journal and I wrote a ton of poems after that.