When I was in Grade 4, I wasn’t happy at school. It made my life unbearable. I wasn’t getting good marks; I had teachers screaming at me; I couldn’t do my homework because I just didn’t understand what to do. They gave me a detention every day at break. The teachers and principal called a meeting and told my parents that I needed to go to a remedial school. They said I wasn’t capable of getting a matric. My parents just kept quiet. The school didn’t even give us a term’s notice – they just wanted me out because I wasn’t academic enough.
I remember the trauma of moving from school to school because in each institution, I didn’t feel like the teachers accepted me for who I was. I was bullied by the other children because I didn’t get good marks. One of the teachers blamed me for causing a friend to fail. To this day, I believe it was my fault.
Today, I’m fortunate to be in Grade 11 in a wonderful school, with teachers that care about me, especially my principal, fondly known as “Morah”. I now keep Shabbos, which was difficult as I wasn’t brought up in a frum home. All the trauma I experienced as a child has made me a wiser person because I have connection to Hashem. Without that trauma, I wouldn’t be able to see the light in every person. Elul always makes me happy as Hashem is active. My faith has given me the strength to forgive the people that gave up on me before I even had the chance to try. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without all that has happened to me.
Taylor Seinker, Grade 11, Torah Academy
