When the Student is Ready

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."
~ Buddhist Proverb

This morning a senior student, E,  came to my room after first period to talk to me about an essay he's written as part of an application to a special program at one of our local universities. I had E as a freshman and again his junior year. He rushes up to me between classes as I'm trying to dash out to the bathroom, so I say, "walk with me." He does, talking as I listen.


"Miss, you know that program I'm applying to?"
"Yes."
"Well, I wrote the essay..."
"And you want me to go over it with you?"
"Well, I gave it to my girlfriend and she said it's like atrocious, horrible! Can you..."
"Look at it with you?"
"Well, I have it on a flash drive."
"I like to sit with the writer when we look at piece."
"Oh."
"Can you come after school?"
"Um...I didn't drive today."
"Or in the morning?"
"Yea that would be good. Oh and..."
"Yes?"
"Do you have like a grammar for dummies book or somethin' I can borrow?"
"I am sure that I do, E."
"Sweet! See ya in the morning."

I made the turn off the sidewalk to the teachers' restrooms and he continued on to his second period class. I have to admit, I did a little dance; it was a happy dance moment for my teacher self. Finally! Finally, he sees the importance of editing.