My Inspirational Teacher - Mr. Steve Protasio

   People have a way of coming into your life.  Some are introduced by friends and family, some by work, and others, well, who knows?  The people I meet are a blessing in disguise, for I find that whomever I meet, they seem to always have some strong impact one way or another.  One person in particular was Mr. Steve Protasio.  He was my English 11 and 12 grade teacher at John F. Kennedy High School.  He made a commitment to understand all his students.  He never judged us by our covers but rather read into us.  He would always know when things were amiss and took time to listen to us after class rant and rave about peer pressure, home life, school life, and even personal relationships.
   As a student, I was rebellious but smart throughout my middle school and most of my high school years.  I would skip class, jump gates, or get into fights, but was never caught or retained in school.  I did not know that my actions would lead me down the wrong path in life.  It was my way and no other way.  That was until I entered my junior year and met Mr. Protasio.  He made learning an art. He made it fun.  And he made the subject make sense.  I always looked forward to his class everyday and would dread when it ended.  Mr. Protasio had high expectation of his students and I wasn't aware that one day I would be his highest. 
   One school day during my senior year, my class had an assignment to write to ten universities in the mainland.  We had to get ten copies of our school transcript and fill out college applications.  We had to also write an introduction letter about why we wanted to attend college.  This assignment had me thinking.  Did I even want to go to college?  What good would it do?  What if  I don't get accepted, then what?  I shared these thoughts with the class and was given the best advice ever.  Mr. Protasio said, "You will never know the outcome of a situation unless you try.  And if these colleges don't accept you, then they are the dumb ones."  I thought for a moment that he was being sarcastic and we all stared at him waiting for the punch line, but it never came.  He was dead serious.  At that moment, I saw myself through his eyes.  I saw myself living a life without trouble.  At this point, I decided to put my everything into my assignments and my heart into school.  It was a traumatic change.  People in school starting noticing and I was making friends with people who I used to tease and terrorize. 
   The end of senior year was fast approaching and Mr. Protasio made an announcement that he had some items to give back to us.  He reached behind his desk for a huge box.  As he opened it, he shared that what he was about to pass back to us were the responses of the college applications we sent.  Not all responded but we at least got an idea what it was like to go through the application process.  As he passed out the large packets, I kept thinking what if I decided to pursue my education further.  The moment of truth came when Mr. Protasio handed 9 packets back to me.  I opened all the packets and read each of its contents.  University of Arizona, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Florida State, and Portland State University accepted me to their colleges.  I was flabbergasted that an young girl from small island would have a chance to attend some big college out there in the mainland.  Then, Mr. Protasio asked us to settle back into our seats because he was excited to share some news with us.  I thought there couldn't be anything as exciting as this.  He held in his hand a packet that was labeled, Who's Who Among American High School Students.  Mr. Protasio shared that he had a friend, who was an English professor at University of Hawaii-Manoa, and sent a few of our essays to him. His friend then went on to share one essay in particular with his colleagues and one of those colleagues suggested submitting the essay into Who's Who.  We were all excited for the one student who had their essay shared with so many people.  I didn't think it was me, no way, there were by far better writers in the class than myself.  The class asked if Mr. Protasio would read the essay and he said that he would if everyone gave their consent to share it.  We all said, "Yes!"  He started with the first few lines and my heart stopped.  I couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth.  Those words were my thoughts about my life.  My struggles of life: being abandoned by my father when I was a newborn, the age of nine with an alcoholic parent,  and then living with grandparents who guided me with loving yet firm hands. 
   Mr. Protasio finished reading my five-page essay and I took my first breathe.  I looked around the room and saw some people with tears in their eyes, the boys were shaking their head thinking that one of their friends probably needed them right now.  Then Mr. Protasio looked at me and said, "Venessa, you are a strong person to go through this life at such a young age. You are truly an amazing writer and a disciplined student.  No one knew your life before now and I would like to congratulate you in making it out of that life.  Never doubt yourself and just know that whatever you set your mind to - it can be accomplished."
   I took those words with me forever and set my life into action.  I graduated top ten in my high school class, went on to receive my Bachelor's degree in three years, and pursued my Master's degree in two years.  I never thanked Mr. Protasio until I met with him four months ago at a education seminar.  He didn't recognize me until I introduced myself to him.  He asked how life was and I gave him a big smile and shared all of my accomplishments.  I thanked him for making learning fun and for having the confidence in all his students.  He laughed and said, "I really had no idea what I was doing.  I was just hoping for the best."  In my opinion, he is the Best!