贾庆文

Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. Remarkably, he could read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. 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 twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed… until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldnt take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he did not study.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.

One day, Miss Whites impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

“Steve!!” Startled, he turned to look at her.

“Pay attention!”

Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

“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 seventh grade is failing my class!”

She just stared at Steve. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldnt do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.

“Just try it! ONE WEEK!” He was unmoved.

“Youre smart enough! Youll see a change!” Nothing fazed him.

“Give yourself a chance! Dont 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. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering! He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time…his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldnt resist another look at the lovely woman.

Miss Whites face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up.

Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it!

He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. 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. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct professor in a nearby college. Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives.

You see, its simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

12岁的史蒂夫的父母都是酒鬼，他按美国的教育制度他即将永远被抛弃。虽然他能够阅读，但其阅读技巧不行，因此史蒂夫还是考试不及格。他从一年级开始，考试就一直不及格。现在史蒂夫成为了一名大男孩，看起来要比他的实际12岁的年龄要大得多，然而他却一直被人忽略，直到怀特老师的到来。

怀特小姐面带微笑，年轻、漂亮、长着一头红发，史蒂夫一眼就喜欢上了这位女教师！在他年轻的生命中，他第一次无法将自己的眼神从老师的身上挪开；然而他考试依旧不及格。他从不做作业，他总是找怀特老师的麻烦。在她严厉的批评中他变得心灰意冷，当他因为没有交作业而遭到惩罚时，他只是感到很不开心！但他仍然不学习。

在第一个学期中间，整个7年级进行了基本技能测试。史蒂夫匆忙做完试卷，让那一天流逝，他仍然把注意力放到其他事情上。他的心根本不在学校，而是在树林中，他经常单独逃到那里，试图彻底摆脱他那充满酒气的家。没有人来关注他是否安全。没有人知道他走了，因为家里没有人没有喝醉，清醒到可以关心他。然而，奇怪的是史蒂夫却从来也没有一天不去上学。

一天，怀特小姐不耐烦的声音打破了他的白日梦。

“史蒂夫！！”他吃惊地看着她。

“注意！”

当怀特小姐开始仔细检查7年级的考试成绩时，史蒂夫用青春期那种爱慕的眼神凝视着她。

“你们都考得不错，”她对全班同学说，“但一个男孩除外，告诉你们真相会使我伤透心，但……”她犹豫着，用严厉的眼神盯着史蒂夫的座位，她的眼睛开始看着他的脸。