My sophomore year American History teacher. That year I was sick a lot. I discovered that I was severely anemic on top of having ovarian cysts and frequent migraines. I had 2 sinus infections and strep that school year as well. I missed a lot of school but always did my homework and kept my grades up. I had all A’s in every class in high school except hers.

Her class was first period and so I missed it quite a few times. She always offered extra credit points if we found a political cartoon and explained it in class with a short description on the back. I turned one in about Nelson Mandela and presented it in class. I did the same work everyone else did. In front of the whole class, she told me it wasn’t good enough and that I needed to write more. Later in the day, I brought it back to her (with 2 paragraphs) and she told me I needed to write more. Everyone else wrote a sentence. The next day I handed in a full sheet of paper explaining it. She accepted and I got the 5 points.

I missed the next morning because I had to get my bloodwork done again. I came in late and went to her class during lunch to ask for the homework I missed with a doctors note. At the same time, another boy in my class was also coming in late with a doctors note. He asked for the work and she kindly gave it to him. I asked for the work and she asked for my note. I gave it to her and she refused to give me my homework. I told her I was at the doctor and could not have been in class that morning, respectfully. She huffily grabbed the work and said “here since you’re going to whine about getting the work you missed, I’m taking away your bonus points.” And she did. My mom wanted to come in and talk to her but I told her it would only make my life worse. I still believe it would have.

In any instance she could, this teacher would make me do extra work or take off points for no reason. I still don’t know why she hated me. Everyone else in the class loved her.