The Difference A Teacher Can Make

　　Steve, a 12-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade.

　　Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a 12-year-old. Yet Steve went unnoticed, until Miss White.

　　Miss White was a smiling young beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love. Yet he never did his homework and he was always in trouble with Miss White.

　　In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire 7th grade was tested for basic skills. As Miss White began to go over the test results for the 7th grade, Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration.

　　′′You all did pretty well,′′ she told the class, ′′ except for one boy. And it breaks my heart to tell you this, but ... ′′ she hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face, ′′the smartest boy in the 7th grade is failing my class. ′′ She just stared at Steve, and the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

　　After that, it was war. Steve still wouldn′t do his homework. ′′Just try it, one week!′′ - He was unmoved. ′′You are smart enough. You′ll see a change!′′ - Nothing fazed him. ′′Give yourself a chance. Don′t give up on your life!′′ - Nothing.

　　′′Steve, please! I care about you!′′ Wow! Suddenly Steve got it. Someone cared about him? Someone totally unattainable and perfect, cared - about - him ?

　　Steve went home from school, thoughtful that afternoon. He could not bear the overpowering stench in his house. He quickly gathered up his camping gear: a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time his school books. Grim-faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

　　The following Monday Miss White gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test and was first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over.

　　Miss White′s face was in total shock. She glanced up at Steve, then down then up. Suddenly her face broke into a radiance of smile. The smartest boy in the 7th grade had just passed his first test.

　　From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Steve began to excel. And he continued this course throughout his school life. After high school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continued to inspire others, as astral professor in a nearby college. Miss White left great legecy - she saved one boy who has changed many lives.

　　You see, it′s simple, really. One change within the heart of a boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.