'The Teacher'

The blog book I have been reading is by Vanessa Feltz and it's called 'Raw Voices'. It tells true stories of hardship and hope, having to overcome great difficulties to change their lives and others around them. One of the stories is called The Teacher.

'The Teacher' by Paul Lloyd - Paul Lloyd was a teenager in trouble with the police, in and out of prison with no future and no education. What could get worse? Whilst working in the prison library Paul decides, probably just picking up these books, maybe I should read them. A prison officer helped him by bringing him some books and comics to read. It was about this time things changed for Paul. He read slowly at first as he was never a good reader, but he had the time to improve his reading skills, especially as his supported prison officer was encouraging him. He found a new belief for himself. And ultimately through his own changes he decided he would become a teacher and help other prisons like himself to read and write.

Had I been born to different parents, like Paul Lloyd, things could have been different for me. Despite the appaling education I had and treating me as an idiot I knew I had a good brain, but not knowing how to use it. I think I was very fortunate that my parents instilled in me a great sense of respect and honesty and other strong attributes of a determination to do the best I can.

Gary Whiting