Robert Munroe
“Experience as a writer”




I can remember being in the 6th grade, having Mr. Mackenzie as my teacher. He was awesome. I wanted to go to class, with him as my teacher. He did things unconventionally. We had a garden outside the window where we grew carrots and lettuce, and documented the different stages of growing. Mr Mackenzie also helped me get into a group called “Olympics of the Mind”. We solved problems as a group and put on plays based on our findings. I was so very inspired and trusting of him. I can remember being overly excited to have him read a story I had written. It wasn’t an assignment, I did it because I wanted to. I was proud of the story as well as my initiative to do something on my own. I waited with a big smile and baited breath looking up at Mr Mackenzie, looking for a reaction and anticipating his response. I can remember vividly as if it were yesterday, him saying “You really should think about doing something else with your time, writing is not your thing”. I felt a physical transformation, a permanent loss, I was changed. I have been scared of writing ever since. I don’t even remember what the story I wrote was about. I forgot it permanently. The power that grade school teachers have, should be wielded like a deadly weapon.