Tennessee Aquarium Offers Half-Price 'College Days' in February 2020

            SMYRNA -- The Tennessee Aquarium is offering half-price tickets for Motlow's students, faculty, administrators and staff. The venue's "College Days" will continue through Feb. 29.

Never Stop Looking Ahead

By Dr. William H. Kraus

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

             

            SMYRNA – I recently asked myself, “What does the future hold? What am I looking forward to?”

            I have been most fortunate throughout my life. I’ve received a great education, served six communities with a total population of approximately 170,000 as city manager over a period of 25 years, and managed more than 20 non-profit associations in the health field and community/residential for another 20 years. I’ve also served as both adjunct and full-time professor in California and Tennessee since 1974. Related to that, I have just completed 15 years of service with Motlow State, beginning at our original Smyrna campus at the Tennessee National Guard here in Smyrna.

            I have always been a very active and enthusiastic “futurist,” welcoming the new, exciting and unpredictable events that will, without doubt, unveil in the days and months ahead. However, as I reach my current age and stage, it has come to my realization that I still see the future through the dreams, hopes and aspirations of our students here at Motlow State. Each class that I have the wonderful opportunity to be a part of has men and women who are just starting out on their individual journeys of life, with great mountains (and sometime valleys) to cross.

Dr. William H. Kraus

            Thus, my passion today is to be able to pass on the “spark of hope, optimism and dedication to excellence” to all of the students I see in class. I try to encourage them not to get bogged down in the details and the little steps that they may experience, but always keep the “eye on the prize.” 

            What better poem could I share than the following that came from the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, written by an 82-year-old man who was dying and accepting the death.

‘If I Had It to Do All Over Again’

"If I had my life to live over, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I'd be crazier than I've been on this trip. I know very few things that I would take seriously anymore. I would take more chances. I would take more trips, I would scale more mountains, I would swim more rivers, and I would watch more sunsets. I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans. I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones. 

You see, I was one of those people who lived prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour and day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do all over again, I'd have many more of them. In fact, I'd try not to have anything else… just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of my day.

I've been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it all over again, I'd travel lighter, much lighter than I have. I would start barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall. I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I'd watch more sunrises, and catch more gold rings, and greet more people, and pick more flowers, and dance more often… If I had it to do over again.

But you see, I don’t

Motlow Smyrna to 'Celebrate' Students, Teachers and Staff Members on April 12

Success is... Celebrating Black History

Following are some photos from the African-American Read-In

 at Motlow Smyrna on Feb. 27, 2019. (Photos by Charles Whiting)

Success is... Celebrating Who We Are and What We've Accomplished

        Welcome to the “Success is…” issue of The Motlow Buzz. Things are buzzing all around us here on the Smyrna campus, and students, faculty, administrators and staff are working hard to grow their talents and help change lives. Once in a while, it’s good to sit back to reflect on the things we’ve accomplished (and dream about the exciting changes to come). Motlow is a wonderful place to learn and achieve, and we have a great team. Following are a few of our “success” stories (with photos).

What's Buzzing in Smyrna?

     Read all about it! Click below to read the latest issue of The Motlow Buzz (Oct. 17, 2018). 

Our 17th regular Issue for Oct. 17, 2018:

 https://mailchi.mp/d99249315711/the-motlow-buzz-oct-17-2018  

2018 Orientation Has Begun!!!

By Ramona Shelton

Motlow Buzz Managing Editor

            SMYRNA -- With Motlow being one of the fastest growing community colleges in the country and with so much of that growth being at the Smyrna Center, making sure our new students have the best possible preparation for the upcoming fall semester is priority number one for the Orientation Team.

            Motlow’s Orientation Team is made up of faculty, staff, alumni and community members who go through an intense set of training sessions to learn the most up-to-date information to help guide incoming freshmen to success. All new first-time freshmen go through the orientation process to make sure they are ready to walk into day one of classes.

            According to Gary Winton, assistant director of recruitment and new student services, orientations are designed to not only introduce new students to Motlow but also give them the opportunity to finalize any outstanding requirements before classes officially start. 

Future Motlow Smyrna students attend a recent orientation (Photo by Ramona Shelton)

            Students check in at the welcome table just inside the front door where they are given name tags and a student planner. Quite often, students who have never met each other before bond before even reaching the next part of the day. At orientation on a recent Friday, several students who used the wait time before their group started became so connected that they requested to stick together as a unit for the rest of the day!

            After checking in, the new students get to meet someone who will be one of their biggest cheerleaders all the way through their Motlow experience -- their completion coach. Between the completion coaches and the faculty advisors (as well as the rest of the Motlow crew!), Motlow students have a support system from the first day they walk through the door all the way until they walk across that stage at graduation.

            New students also get introduced to the technology they will be using at Motlow. Orientees have the chance to access their Motlow email accounts and their MyMotlow accounts, two things they will be very proficient at using by the time they get to graduation. For these students, the technology presentation also gives them the first look at D2L, Motlow’s online campus system. D2L isn’t just for fully online classes; many professors have web enhanced classes that utilize D2L for testing, communication and file sharing.

            The next steps at orientation are advising and registration. This is the meat and potatoes of “what classes am I going to take.” Orientation team advisors walk through orientees’ chosen programs and help them plan their first steps in coursework. At registration, orientees get to work with the advisors to sign up for their first semester’s classes. Any students interested in the Motlow Honors Program also have the opportunity to meet with an Honors advisor to help them start down that path if they qualify for Honors.

            Finally, new students hit the check-out process. This is their final opportunity of the day to tackle any financial aid, Tennessee Promise, or Tennessee Reconnect questions. In addition to receiving a parting gift, orientees have the opportunity to take care of some practical things as well, getting their IDs and parking passes in a place in which they will spend a lot of time during their Motlow tenure -- the Smyrna Campus Library.

Gary Winton Prepares for an orientation session on the Motlow Smyrna campus (photo by Ramona Shelton)

            While at orientation, new students get to meet so many people who understand their Motlow journey. Spring 2018 graduate (and Motlow Buzz contributing writer) Emma Sagor is a new part of the Orientation Team this summer. Emma loves being able to share her Motlow experiences with our new students. Another new member of the team is speech professor Debbie Stockdale, who says that she is so glad she chose to be a part of this group. Being a part of the Orientation Team has added a new dimension to her experience as an instructor. Guiding new students through the advising and course selection process has increased the satisfaction she has as a teacher. It has also allowed her to meet and work with so many members of the Motlow Smyrna family!

            Motlow Smyrna is most definitely growing! During the Summer 2018 orientation sessions, the team saw 920 new students. At the session on July 13, nearly 140 orientees were welcomed to Motlow Smyrna! A low estimate is that there will be another 600 who go through the process before classes start in August.

            If you are interested in the Orientation Team, the orientation process, or have a friend who would enjoy being at Motlow, please contact Gary Winton at gwinton@mscc.edu. 

Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club Hosts Successful Talent Show

By Anthony Czelusniak 
Motlow Buzz Student News Editor

         SMYRNA, Tenn. – The Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media (SEAM) Club hosted the Motlow Smyrna Talent Show in the lobby of the MaryLou Apple Building on April 26 to great success.

         The talent show was an opportunity for more than 10 students, faculty and administrators to display their talents to the Motlow community. These acts were not only musical, but also both visually artistic and poetic. Faculty and administrator participants included Professor Ben Jobe, Professor Bob Fitzgerald, Professor Charles Whiting, Professor Kevin Fitch, Academic Dean Elizabeth Fitch, and Librarian Paige Hendrickson. 

Desaree O'Donnell performs the Elvis Presley classic "I Can't Help Falling in Love" (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         The students who performed a song were Cateland Gonzalez, Montez Voorhies, Megan Williams, and Desaree O’Donnell. Camille Cole read her original poetry, and Mary Hill and Manuel Martinez displayed their original visual artwork.

         The show was emceed by SEAM President Parker Shoemaker and Professor Nick Bush. 

Nick Bush and Parker Shoemaker add humor at the emcees

         The attendance at the talent show was substantial, with the lobby and lounge regularly being crowded with students, staff, administrators and family.

         “I was so happy and surprised to see how many came out to support both the faculty and the student performers,” Parker said about the crowd. 

Paige Hendrickson performs a bluesy rendition of "Give Me One Reason" (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         The Motlow Smyrna Talent Show was put on by a team that included Alara Bishop (sound), Anthony Czelusniak (publicity), Manuel Martinez (graphic arts), Samantha Denny, Mary Hill, and Jacob Martin (production assistants), George Ciprich and Stan Temple (stage set-up), and Casey Chandler, Biff Kittii, and Mark Landrum (sound production/audiovisual).

Kevin and Elizabeth Fitch close the show (Photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

         SEAM is Motlow Smyrna's official club for students who want to experience and discuss the different types of entertainment, arts and media. 

Camille Cole reads original poetry (photo by Anthony Czelusniak)

We Don’t Have a Village... We Have an Army!

By Ramona Shelton

Motlow Buzz Manging Editor

         SMYRNA -- As we near the end of not just the Spring semester but also the 2017-2018 school year, it seems as though time actually speeds up. Between the scramble to finish everything in all of our classes, we all have to keep our eyes on the prize -- graduation. In the overwhelming face of this hustle and bustle, it is always nice to take a few minutes to stop and celebrate all the achievements of the past school year, and we did just that here in Smyrna on April 13 with Celebration 2018.

         This is the second year we have done this event, and it has definitely grown since our first time. Smyrna’s Celebration was designed to spotlight our students who go above and beyond the classroom in terms of their dedication to being successful. However, this year we highlighted the fact that you cannot have student success without the hard work of the faculty and staff. The event recognized our outstanding students as well as outstanding faculty and staff members. 

         As Celebration dignitary and retiring Smyrna Town Manager Harry Gill Jr. noted, “I have worked much of my career in the education field and people often forget the hard work of those behind the scenes. It really does take a village.”

         Here at Motlow State Community College’s Smyrna Center, we don’t just have a village… we have an army of folks made up of students, faculty, and staff who fight hard for each other with that idea of success as the ultimate goal.

         Students who excelled above and beyond the classroom by doing such things as being club officers, serving in the SGA, acting as Student Ambassadors, and being inducted into honor societies, or receiving college-wide student awards were invited to be showcased at Celebration 2018. In front of a large group of their family members, faculty and staff, and local dignitaries, the following students received certificates of recognition:

* George Romano -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductee

* Miciah Caruthers -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductee

* Madison Caruthers -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductee

* Mary Kate Brown -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductee and 2018 Student Ambassador

* Ashleigh Saylors -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Inductee

* Joshua McGee -- 2018 Student Ambassador and 2017-2018 Dean’s List recipient

* Jazzmin Mitchell -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Tennessee Regional Secretary and 2017 --2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member

* Ava Anderson -- 2018 Phi Theta Kappa Vice President, 2017-2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and Writing Center Tutor

* Emma Sagor -- 2018 Harvest Queen, Honor Student, 2017-2018 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, Writing Center tutor, and contributing writer for The Motlow Buzz

* Taylor Bowling -- Charter Member of the History Club

* Je’Juan Henderson -- 2018 Outstanding Humanities Student Award Winner

* Ally Elliott -- President of the Criminal Justice Club, Charter Member of the Criminal Justice Club, and Charter Member of the History Club

* Anthony Czelusniak -- 2018 Outstanding Humanities Student Award Winner, Motlow Buzz Student News Editor, and Motlow Buzz major article contributor

          

 

         In addition to honoring the students, Celebration 2018 also honored the hard work of the faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions to student success. If Motlow Smyrna is filled with an army charging towards student success, the faculty and staff award winners most definitely are the ones leading the charge! The following people were honored as our Celebration 2018 award winners:

        

         * Professor John Hart -- Outstanding Faculty Award

         * Professor Kate Benson -- Outstanding Faculty Sparkplug (First Year) Award

         * Professor Peter Dowd -- Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award

         * Estelle Davis and Michelle McEwen- Outstanding Staff Award (as a team)

         * Casey Chandler -- Outstanding Staff Sparkplug (First Year) Award

Faculty and staff were asked to not only nominate deserving individuals but to also explain why their nominees deserved to win these awards. The Celebration team received several nominations with a ton of tear-producing descriptions of the hard work of the nominees, and although only one person could win in each category, every one of the nominees deserves recognition. Listed below are all of the nominations including the descriptions submitted with the nominations:

* John Hart -- John has given a great deal of his time and energies to the growth and well being of Smyrna Campus. Some examples of things he does that are above and beyond include Honors Program Coordinator for Smyrna, schedules languages classes in Smyrna and helps with staffing; regularly trains faculty in D2L; teaches overloads; and helps with Promotion-Tenure Workshops.

* John Hart (second nomination) -- John has taken on faculty leadership roles in government, mentoring and his department. He has recently agreed to serve as Motlow Smyrna Honor's coordinator. He is a dedicated teacher and faculty leader who has constantly worked to make Motlow a better place.

* Regina Norwood -- I want to be like Regina when I grow up. The students love her! She has an amazing ability to connect with the students. Regina loves teaching. She is very patient but firm with her expectations and students respond to her. Every time I see her, she has a smile on her face. A few semesters back I helped Regina figure out how to use the basics of D2L. She has continued to learn new aspects of the system and can now utilize it ways that I can’t. Regina is working with the Motlow Market to help build food boxes for students in need. She is bothered by the thought of our students going hungry and is working to make a difference.  

* Kate Benson -- Kate has proved to be a crucial addition to the Smyrna Team in her since joining us in Fall 2017. She jumped right in by joining the Fall Festival committee, and committed great time and energy into helping committee members successfully carry out this event, which celebrates our students. In her short time here, Kate has also founded a Psi Beta, Community College National Honor Society in Psychology, chapter at Smyrna Campus, and serves as a Faculty Advising Specialist in the Student Success Center.  On top of these activities (and preparing new courses), she also attends Smyrna Team meetings, is actively involved in other events on campus, and is collaborative, positive and energetic in her interactions with both students and colleagues. 

* Beth Martin- Beth has shown a great attitude. She has taken on a difficulty schedule and a double overload in order to help Motlow Smyrna. She contributed to the Fall Festival with a co-curricular activity.

* Beth Martin (second nomination) -- Beth's enthusiastic dedication to her students and discipline has been obvious since I met her. She is very good natured and brings a great sense of fun to Motlow.

* David Vaughn -- David has hit the ground running this year. He started the year with three different class and lab preps and took it in stride. David is eager to learn new teaching methods. When his students struggle with concepts he works on a new approach to teaching. He is not afraid to ask questions and seek advice on how to reach his students. He takes the time to work with students to help them succeed. David is involved outside of the classroom as well. He assisted with the Bone Marrow Donor drive held this spring and is an active participant at department meetings. He wants to be more involved on campus and eager to take advantage of new opportunities.

* Peter Dowd -- Peter has surprised me in his role as an adjunct. He is adept at conveying information to the students in a way they can relate to. He truly enjoys teaching. Peter listens to his students and tries to help them with issues outside of the classroom. He takes pride in finding ways to make difficult concepts easier. Peter is involved at Motlow outside of teaching too. He has volunteered at orientation and registration events. He helps with SGA events and is serving as a TNPromise mentor. Peter is involved in the community as well. He coaches youth baseball in Nolensville and works with the Williamson County after school program too.

* Estelle Davis and Michelle McEwen (as a team) (second nomination) -- Motlow’s own Lucy and Ethel are more than just the two that sit in the first office at the front. They do a lot more than most people realize. There is a ton of paperwork that has to be done just to keep classes scheduled, let alone keep the campus running and they are brilliant at making this happen. In addition, they play a huge role in making sure that all the events we have here on campus run smoothly. We are in triple digits when it comes to campus events and this is much more than “is there a room available?” These two coordinate a ton of stuff from what furniture needs to be moved where to who is going to get the food for the event? They deserve a big award for everything they do.

* Michelle Griffith -- Michelle is just awesome! Among her many duties as Cheryl’s right hand, she is responsible for the various food trucks that come to campus. She is so personable and always has a smile on her face. She helps makes the Smyrna campus a welcoming place for students. Michelle helps me with SGA events and remembers the little details that I miss.

* Casey Chandler -- Casey is honestly one of the hardest workers and friendliest people I have ever met. He is absolutely amazing at his job. Any time I have ever had to call him because there was a computer problem or a bulb out in a projector in a classroom, he hasn’t hesitated to rush to get the problem fixed. You never see him without a smile on his face.

* Casey Chandler (second nomination) -- In addition to his traditional work duties, Casey is always ready to help with all the projects we have going on here on campus. I know that he was a part of the winning team from the Trivia Night contest last semester and that he has gotten involved with other things.

* Lucky Maze -- Lucky works in the front office. Lucky interacts with students daily and is always friendly and personable. He greets students with a smile and tackles all the jobs Carol and Malik give him. He delivers mail and courier items like a pro. They are always in the correct mailbox! As a graduate of Motlow, I think it speak volumes that he wanted to come back and work here. He is likes the culture of the Smyrna campus and is a team player. 

Finally, no event like this could be pulled off without an outstanding team who gave their blood, sweat and tears to make Celebration 2018 a success. This year’s Celebration team was made up of Tamara Jones, Charles Whiting, Stacy Dowd, Paige Hendrickson, Gary Winton, Nick Bush, Mary Jo Johnson, Andrea Green, Biff Kittii, and Regina Norwood and the FYE crew, along with support from George Ciprich, Stan Temple, Casey Chandler, Peter Dowd, and Heather Koller.

With Celebration 2018 in the bag, it’s time to look forward to not only this year’s graduation ceremony but also next year’s Celebration 2019 event!

What Students and Faculty Say...

        “The third building is symbolic of our growth both as a community and as a college. Motlow is going to be at the forefront of a new wave of education. As much as I love sharing an office with five other professors, I think we will all appreciate being able to stretch out a bit.” – Felicia Brown, Instructor of Sociology

***

        “I am a non-traditional college student with four children and three grandchildren that has been attending Motlow part time while trying to complete a degree that I started 30 years ago. With the addition of the Tennessee Reconnect program, my dream becomes one step closer to becoming a reality. The addition of a third building to Motlow’s Smyrna campus is vitally important as it's integral to the success of myself and others by adding much-needed classroom facilities. By doing so, it helps students to better position ourselves to accomplish our goals of achieving a college education.” – George Romano, student member of Phi Theta Kappa

***

        “I am excited about a third building at Motlow because it will have extra space for classes and hopefully a larger library! I am also excited to be a part of opening of the building next year that is in place to help people like myself make a better future for themselves.” – Jessica Shaver, Motlow Smyrna student

***

        “In the past two to three years, Community colleges have become more prevalent, and not exclusively within the southern regions. Community colleges have expanded nationally, while allowing scholars to have a chance at education without an absurd price. In addition to that, community colleges have lost their representation of not being a "real education" or place where "dumb people"  attend. This growth is important to Motlow because of the opportunities and personal assistance Motlow has to offer. One can only hope that as Motlow expands that it keeps the same personal connection it has with its students in order for future generations to experience college at a different level.” – Je’Juan Henderson, Motlow Smyrna student

***

        “When I attended my first in-service meeting as a newly hired (Fall 2009) adjunct in math, our faculty meeting was buzzing with the possibility of a record enrollment of 1,500. Motlow/Smyrna only had the one small building, and the school had only recently left the National Guard facility. On the first day of classes, I asked Karen Hudson if we had reached the 1,500 mark. She said that we were well over it! 

        Some 50 adjuncts shared one small office and a handful of computers. Classes were very full. For a time, as attendance grew, classes were even held on Saturdays and Sundays.

        We now have the MLA Building, and it seems that the cohesiveness of our school site is more difficult to maintain since we don't see "everybody" that is connected to our school. With a third building, the school's closeness may be even more difficult to maintain. But the potential for a great education will be enhanced by the new and more spacious building. I have been greatly pleased with the improvements in facilities, but the most satisfying thing to me is to see the willingness of my faculty colleagues to share cramped quarters and also put forth great effort to make the best of a difficult but improving situation. As an adjunct, I have not seen every aspect of the operation of the school. But with the talented and dedicated staff that is here, I am excited to imagine how great this campus can be with more adequate facilities.” – Kenneth L. Thomas, Adjunct Professor of Math

***

        “Yay! The bigger the school, the more classes to offer here in Smyrna. That way, I don't have to drive to another school branch for a certain class.” – Rosalie Kuhn, Motlow Smyrna student

***

        “Growth, close conditions, and strong bonds have always been a part of Motlow Smyrna and its success. I remember touring the AWJ building with Moltow Smyrna Site Director George Ortega. The building had not yet opened, and it just seemed so huge (which compared to the Armory it was)! We outgrew it quickly, but we all worked together to take care of each other and our students regardless of the challenges. It's been the same ever since. That third building, to me, will symbolize the Smyrna way: we work together, we take care of each other, we take care of our students. That is our tradition. That is our identity.” – Heather Koller, Professor of History

***

          “I have always been a strong supporter of initiatives and investments that enhance education opportunities for residents in our community and state. I am pleased that the State Building Commission has made this important investment in Rutherford County, and I am thankful for the Commission's support.” – Tennessee State Rep. Mike Sparks, former Motlow Smyrna student

***

        “I live about 30 miles from our Smyrna campus, but I will be there for this historic groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, the 23rd. I began teaching @ the National Guard facility in fall 2000, and have taught in both of our present buildings. I look forward to teaching in the new one next year. It is exciting to see our continued growth!” – Ben Jobe, Adjunct Professor of Music

***

        “I am really excited because I hear great things about the building. I have heard that they are going to put in new classes, and it makes me excited to see how we are going to expand the curriculum. It is great to see how the campus has changed since I have been here.” – Parker Shoemaker, Motlow Smyrna student

'Thank you, Bertha!: Learning from Failure'

By Andrea Green

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

         I had a flat last week. Luckily, I was in a parking lot, the weather was pleasant, and I had the tools needed to change the tire. I was back on the road in under 15 minutes, and as I drove away, I reminisced about the first time I changed a tire. It was the same day I learned to drive.  

         My father woke me at dawn one Saturday afternoon and announced that we were going to the high school parking lot. He said, “I’ll drive us there, and you’ll drive us back.” His announcement was bittersweet. I was finally going to learn to drive, but I had to learn with Bertha.

Bertha was the nickname my father gave the family car. She was a 1985 black Ford Taurus with a cracked windshield and a broken radio. My father bought her from a co-worker for $500. He got what he called “a heck of a deal” because Bertha “needed a little work.” To my father, she was a project that required some tender loving care. To me, she was an embarrassing monstrosity I hated.  

The back bumper was dented in several places. The passenger side doorknob was broken, so the driver had to lean across the seat and open the passenger’s door from the inside. Although the air-conditioner worked fine, the radiator didn’t. That meant that even during the summer we had to keep the heater on so the radiator wouldn’t overheat. I still cringe at the thought of onlookers gawking at us those times Bertha spewed coolant from her radiator like a fountain of neon-green profanities.

My father worked on Bertha continuously, but she still broke down often. My father spent most weekends rummaging around the local junkyard, futilely attempting to locate parts to fix whatever was wrong with Bertha that week. It never mattered though. Bertha was a lost cause because what she needed was new. New doors. News windshield. New radiator. Unfortunately, ‘new’ was something we couldn’t afford.

The morning I learned to drive, I didn’t care that Bertha wasn’t new. I put my acrimony aside and eagerly waited to get behind the wheel. It turns out that learning to drive a 5-speed manual automobile was tricky. Most manual cars today have a shift indicator on the dashboard. Not Bertha. She left me to fend for myself. Bertha was so touchy that if I didn’t release the clutch at just the right moment before I hit the gas, she’d die.

________________________________________________

"Sometimes we don’t realize that it’s often our failures that pave the way toward our successes." 

   -- Andrea Green, Instructor of English on Motlow's Smyrna campus

________________________________________________

 Two hours into my lesson, my bitterness returned. I had moved Bertha about 300 yards, and I hated her more than ever. She and I had finally both broken down; I was in tears and Bertha declined to start. My father is resilient man, so he refused to give up on his car or his daughter. He popped Bertha’s hood, got her running again, and commanded me to dry my eyes. I begged him to let me go home. He said, “You can go home when Bertha gets you there.”

I envied my friends. Most of them were also learning to drive, but they were learning on newer vehicles, cars with radios, air-conditioners, and gears that shifted automatically. Some of my best friends already had their permits and would be driving themselves to school in the fall. Not me, though. I was stuck with Bertha. I fumed as I sat on her hot seats, sweat mingling with the tears running down my cheeks.

“It’s not fair!” I yelled. “Why don’t we have a car that works? This is ridiculous! How is this going to help me learn?”

“It’s not Bertha’s fault,” my father replied. “Quit feeling sorry for yourself. You only fail if you stop trying.” My father’s tone warned me against any further complaining. I dried my eyes and tried again. Again Bertha died. I tried again. Bertha died.

Eventually, I got the feel of the clutch and I knew the exact moment to hit the gas. I drove around the parking lot and then to the end of the street. I drove around the football field and back to the school again. By lunch I had nearly emptied Bertha’s tank. My father offered me a congratulatory pat on the back and told me to drive to the gas station.

I offered Bertha a $5 fill up as a peace offering and asked her forgiveness for my foul treatment and evil thoughts. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I finally eased her into our drive-way. I locked her doors and tossed my father the keys, but to my surprise he tossed them back and said, “You’re not done. You need to change the tire.”

I examined Bertha’s tires and said, “There’s no flat.”

My father said, “There will be one day. Now change it.”

Just like the driving lesson, the tire changing lesson produced sweat, tears, and a lot of angry thoughts. My father watched as I removed and reattached a perfectly good tire. He wanted me to figure it out on my own, so he offered no instructions. First, I couldn’t find where to place the jack. I finally figured that out, but then I forgot to loosen the lug nuts before I raised the car. It took me an hour and a half to change one tire. I was furious with my father for the rest of the week.

A few months later, I was grateful my father had forced me to change that tire because I was out with a friend and she got a flat. I knew exactly what to do. I realized that my father taught me the hard way because he wanted me to get acquainted with failure. He knew that I would probably fail many times in my life, and he wanted me to be able to overcome those failures and learn from them. 

Sometimes we don’t realize that it’s often our failures that pave the way toward our successes. The lessons learned the hard way are the ones that are sometimes the most beneficial. Some students may be retaking courses this spring because they failed them last semester. Rather than wallowing in aggravation at having to retake the course, readjust your attitude. Think of last semester as a lesson learned. Work harder, reach out to your professors, and succeed this semester!

I overheard a student last week tell her friend that she “bombed” her first test in a class, so she was “just going to stop going.” Why!? It’s the failures that keep up going, if we learn from them. I spent years hating Bertha because I saw her as a failure, a piece of junk. I also saw myself as a failure because I couldn’t drive her the first few hundred (yes, hundred!) times I tried. When I encountered that deflated tire last week, however, I didn’t think about how many times I failed. Instead, I changed my tire and when I was done, I yelled, “Thank you, Bertha!”