In 1967 I arrived to my first day of Kindergarten.  My Mother dropped me off and I set out to explore the room. Finding a book, I sat down to read it. I found a place that was quiet, out of the way by the courtyard window.  Other children were still arriving, and then a bell rang. After the bell the teacher began gathering up the children because it was “time”, time to begin the organized instruction. She went around the room personally addressing each student and directing them to gather.  When she got to me and my book, she said “and what are YOU doing?”....  “Reading” I replied.  She took the book from me and pointing to the designated area she said “we don’t know how to read yet - go over to the group now, run along” and she put the book back on the shelf.

That was really confusing...

I did know how to read, in fact I could read quite well.  I had been to one year of private pre-school and my Mother and Grandfather worked with me every day. We had hand lettered flash cards on poster board from my Dad’s print-shop. They knew that if I could read I would be able to learn ANYTHING! I wanted her to notice that I could read and that’s not what happened at all... Why did this teacher assume that I could not read?  Did she ever give it a second thought?  I didn’t correct her, I just joined the group like I was told.

How different would I be if I had corrected her?

I should have corrected her, but my paradigm got in the way.  My paradigm belief was - that I was not important, I did not matter. I should stay out of the way and go with the flow, and above all do what I was told. I had been taught that children were to be seen and not heard.  I knew I should speak up, but that’s not what I did.

Since that day I have done that same thing over and over and over again...  “not stick up for myself” that is!

Until one day when I decided that it was really ridiculous what we allow society to think of us...  So I started a Facebook page called “High School Dropout Pride”.  I have no idea where it will lead me or take me. But I am finally HONEST!  I am a High School Dropout who learned to read at age 4.  If you listen to what society tries to teach you you might think that all High School Dropouts are illiterate.  I only have one question for you....