THE TEACHINGS OF THE WONDERFUL MS. KEOGH

When I was in high school, I attended SAT prep class to prepare for college applications. On my first day of class, I was a student of Ms. Keogh who taught the verbal section of the test, prior to the switch to the New SAT. In my high school days, I was a bit rebellious, in that teenage-angst-y kind of way, and I showed up to this class in pants that were a bit too tattered and a camo hat.

Ms. Keogh was an old woman, very traditional and set in her ways, and when I showed up the first day in those clothes, she tore into me. She would claim now that I showed up with an attitude; it's certainly a possibility, but it's not something I distinctly remember. Regardless, this defined the beginning of our relationship: I didn't like her, she didn't like me, and we were at odds for the first few classes I attended.

One day, though, I showed up to one of her classes, and I was the only student there. We began, as we usually do, reviewing the verbal section, doing questions together. We started off doing a reading comprehension, and I answered every answer correctly for that section. Continuing, we did a few verbal sections, all of which I did very well on.

From that day forward, her attitude towards me changed completely. While she still made fun of my dress, as were my parents :), she immediately began to respect me for my ability. Later, after completing the SATs, I worked at that SAT prep class as a tutor and worked alongside her, eventually becoming one of her favorite assistents.

I learned a lot from her, not only from teaching an academic subject, but I learned how the world was viewed through her eyes, this old, traditional woman, someone who I had assumed would be completely out of touch with the way the world works now. It was fascinating, and not all of her observations were completely off-base.

The two biggest things she taught me, though, were this: first, it is possible to change someone's first impression of you. Unfortunately, I am aware that first impressions often become a self-fulfilling prophecy, with the interpreter reacting to his or her impression, and in your reaction to him or her, you become what they see in you. However, if there is more to you than meets the eye, as I believe is the case with most people, staying true to what's good in you will open the eyes of others. Their viewpoints can be changed.

Secondly, and most importantly, she taught me how I react in the face of that kind of adversity. I worked with her three or four times a week, and I put up with a fair amount of ribbing regarding my clothing, and I was forced to stay good-natured about it. That skill has become increasingly useful as one deals with lots of different personalities on a daily basis, in school, work, and social life, and I have Ms. Keogh to thank for helping me learn to deal with that.

Ms. Keogh, I know you'll never read this, but thank you for everything. I hope I may get the chance to speak with you before you leave us.