AMES Memory
Picking an AMES memory was very difficult because I have some memories that I'm sure I will remember forever, for example, going to Denver for the robotics competition. However, I wanted to pick a memory that I feel really embodies how special AMES is and how it differs from any other school. This memory, or really, series of memories, occurred during my senior year.
Let me tell you a tale.
Straight-A student who has never failed a test in her life, and won't settle for anything less than an A, takes her first test in honors physics. And fails. Well, in my terms of failing. I got a D; the worst grade I have ever gotten in my twelve years of school. I. Was. Horrified. And quite frankly, so was my teacher. After passing back my test he told me that he couldn't believe it was mine. Believe me Mr. Hendricks, neither could I. He offered a make up test that I was more than ecstatic to take. I went home, did some serious studying, and took the make up test. I received an A-. In other situations, I may have been upset with an A- but I couldn't have been happier. My grade boosted up a considerable amount and was high enough that I could work hard to receive an A for my final grade. I succeeded.
As traumatic as this was, this is not my AMES memory. That simply gave the background information. After doing so terrible on the test, I was determined to redeem myself. I knew it was uncharacteristic of me to do so poorly on a test and I wanted to prove myself. Whenever a test was approaching my friend and I would plan a day to go in after school to study in the physics lab. We would go through all of the questions on the practice test that we were having a hard time with and would solve them on a white board. We would do problem after problem until we could do each of them with ease. Any time we had a question, we would work on it for several minutes to try to figure it out and if we couldn't, Mr. Hendricks was more than happy to help. And, being the great teacher he is, he made us work for it. He would give us hints until we could figure it out ourselves. It became the most helpful way for me to study as well as something to look forward to before each test. We were always productive but made sure to have fun with it. As fun as it was to study with a friend, it was also an incredible opportunity to have a teacher who was willing to help. It was amazing to have a teacher who was always there to help and that if I were confused in any way, I knew I could go to him for help and he would help me until I knew how to do it. This, I feel, is one of the best things about AMES; having close connections between students and teachers and having teachers that are so invested in their students and their success. This is a quality that many schools do not possess, which is unfortunate, because this is what has made my experience at AMES so incredible. AMES has taught me so much about myself and others. The teacher student relationship at AMES sets it apart from any other school and leads to the success of its students. Mr. Hendicks was not the only teacher to treat me and other students this way. I know that every one of my teachers at AMES has cared about me and my success both inside and outside of school and I want to thank every one of them for shaping me into who I am.
Let me tell you a tale.
Straight-A student who has never failed a test in her life, and won't settle for anything less than an A, takes her first test in honors physics. And fails. Well, in my terms of failing. I got a D; the worst grade I have ever gotten in my twelve years of school. I. Was. Horrified. And quite frankly, so was my teacher. After passing back my test he told me that he couldn't believe it was mine. Believe me Mr. Hendricks, neither could I. He offered a make up test that I was more than ecstatic to take. I went home, did some serious studying, and took the make up test. I received an A-. In other situations, I may have been upset with an A- but I couldn't have been happier. My grade boosted up a considerable amount and was high enough that I could work hard to receive an A for my final grade. I succeeded.
As traumatic as this was, this is not my AMES memory. That simply gave the background information. After doing so terrible on the test, I was determined to redeem myself. I knew it was uncharacteristic of me to do so poorly on a test and I wanted to prove myself. Whenever a test was approaching my friend and I would plan a day to go in after school to study in the physics lab. We would go through all of the questions on the practice test that we were having a hard time with and would solve them on a white board. We would do problem after problem until we could do each of them with ease. Any time we had a question, we would work on it for several minutes to try to figure it out and if we couldn't, Mr. Hendricks was more than happy to help. And, being the great teacher he is, he made us work for it. He would give us hints until we could figure it out ourselves. It became the most helpful way for me to study as well as something to look forward to before each test. We were always productive but made sure to have fun with it. As fun as it was to study with a friend, it was also an incredible opportunity to have a teacher who was willing to help. It was amazing to have a teacher who was always there to help and that if I were confused in any way, I knew I could go to him for help and he would help me until I knew how to do it. This, I feel, is one of the best things about AMES; having close connections between students and teachers and having teachers that are so invested in their students and their success. This is a quality that many schools do not possess, which is unfortunate, because this is what has made my experience at AMES so incredible. AMES has taught me so much about myself and others. The teacher student relationship at AMES sets it apart from any other school and leads to the success of its students. Mr. Hendicks was not the only teacher to treat me and other students this way. I know that every one of my teachers at AMES has cared about me and my success both inside and outside of school and I want to thank every one of them for shaping me into who I am.