My Grades Depended On My Teacher, Not The Work I Put In.

  I've always disliked public school, but what sets me apart from the millions of teenagers who feel the same way is that I don't put up with the teachers that don't do their job. This story is one of the many reasons/experiences why the public school system doesn't benefit me. 

  "My 8th-grade math teacher had no reason for my grade staying an F for three months straight."

  I was struggling in my math class' current lesson and decided I needed some tutoring. I talked to my teacher and we made plans to have me join the study group she held in her class every lunch break. She would soon log my extra work into the system to turn my A into an A+. Since I always go the extra mile she suggested that I join the schools morning program in order to finish my other class' work so I could have my evening's homework free. Given I was in competitive swimming, I thought the morning program would be worth it in the long run.

  I got to school at 6 am, three hours before school, and school ended at 9 which is when I would stay for an hour for basketball/volleyball for extracurricular activity grade. After basketball/volleyball, I went to competitive swimming from 5:30-8:30 and got home. I ended every night passing out because I was so exhausted.

  Along with my math teacher, other teachers knew I was putting in extra work to maintain my GPA and A+ average. I was working so hard for a "+" and she(my math teacher)kept "forgetting" to log my extra work into the system. For three months, all but my math teacher acknowledged any of my 'wakes up at 6 and go to bed at 9' schedule. Kids with the same test scores and homework grades were getting A's and I had an F. I started with an A in that class and worked for three months for an A+, I ended that semester with an F.

  I started my freshman year of high school as a homeschooler because that was the last straw. I've met so many other homeschoolers who have a similar story of working harder than everyone else and not having a grade to reflect it. it all depends on your teacher, my mom being my teacher and actually having one on one help gave me more confidence in my work. Being homeschooled through high school gave me more opportunities and made learning fun for my siblings and me.

Mia Mason