Let the Grade Do the Talking

When my son Jamaal was in high school, he was taking calculus—and he was having a difficult time. Instead of encouraging him, his teacher made him feel as though he wasn’t smart enough for the class and perhaps didn’t belong there.

Now, I could have spent all my energy getting angry with that teacher. And believe me, I was mad! But getting mad wasn’t going to help Jamaal pass calculus.

So, I got motivated.

I found him a tutor and made sure he received the extra help and support he needed. Once Jamaal had someone who took the time to work with him, everything began to turn around. His understanding improved, his confidence grew, and so did his grades. He went from struggling in that class to acing it!

The interesting part was that once his grades improved, we didn’t hear anything else from that teacher. So, I finally went to the teacher and said, “You had plenty to say when my son wasn’t doing well, but now that he has turned everything around, we haven’t heard a word from you.”

That experience taught me something important: When someone doubts you or someone you love, you don’t always have to fight with them. Sometimes, the best response is to get the right help, put in the work, and let the results do the talking.

I didn’t just get mad—I got motivated. And Jamaal’s success spoke louder than anything I could have said.