that teacher...

everyone has their favorite teacher. the "cool" one. you know the teacher in high school that swore every once in a while, or was an easy A because everyone knew they didn't really give a shit. then there is the college professor that is cool because they're actually down to earth, and they're actually passionate about something, and they bring it to class every day. well, i've never had that teacher, until recently.

i started writing just for kicks and for myself when i came to college just about five years ago now. never did i ever think it was something i wanted to do. i decided to take a few creative writing classes and i liked it so i took some more. when i took all the poetry classes BSU offered i decided to try my luck with some fiction. I took a class with Maureen Gibbon

i just want to explain how fantastic this teacher is. from day one she was the most approachable teacher i had ever had. i wrote some stories i thought to be just so-so at best. one day she told to stay after class and talk to her for a minute. i had no idea what she wanted to talk to me about. i'm a pretty quiet guy in class so i knew i didn't do anything wrong.

MAUREEN: how long have you been writing fiction?
ME: since the beginning of your class.
MAUREEN: you're a writer.

i've had a lot of people call me a lot of things, and i've called myself some things here and there, but never have i been told i was a writer. ever since then she's kind of taken me under her wing. in my whole life i've never had anyone believe in me like she has. of course there are your parents who think everything you do is phenominal. (quick side story on that topic. my folks came to visit a couple weeks back, and i'm taking this painting class. a beginning painting class. i've never painted anything before this so i decided to show my 'rents a few i've done. i swear to god they thought they were the best paintings they had ever seen. there were other students in the art room while i was showing them, and my mom says, "these are the best paintings i've ever seen!! you're so talented Peter!" yes, i was embareassed. they took a picture with me standing by one of my paintings. yes, i was terribly embareassed. i got them out of there before they could do any more damage.)

Anyway, it's cool to have someone believe in you like that. so since she had so much confidence in me, i started to believe her. i started listening to what she was saying about me. i started writing with some confidence. i'll tell you what, confidence in yourself can take you a long way. if it wasn't for maureen gibbon there is no way on god's green earth i'd be headed to vermont for grad school in a month.