Sep 23, 2013 - definitely had not had similar life experiences. This was even more evident within the walls of Sloan Hal
Printed by John Schneider
Your Words of Encouragement
NNNNN DDDDDDDD
From: NNNNN DDDDDDDD Subject: Your Words of Encouragement Date: September 23, 2013 5:45:44 AM PDT To: Shira Hello Shira, I am a former EE331 student of yours from the Spring of 2007. I am writing this because something you said to us in your class stuck with me and I wanted to make sure to acknowledge it to you. As I am sure you probably do not remember me, I will never forget you or your words of encouragement. As a second generation Eritrean−American coming from a low socioeconomic standing, I always felt like an outsider at Washington State University. The vast majority of the other students did not dress like me, talk like me, look like me, think like me and definitely had not had similar life experiences. This was even more evident within the walls of Sloan Hall. I simply did not belong and my performance academically proved this theory to me. I struggled with your class like I did ever single one of my other classes. What nobody knew at the time, was that to help my family back in Seattle survive I had to work while being a full time student. I was working part time at the library, security at nights and running an online retail business. My mother was doing her best but simply could not make ends meet and needed my help while trying to raise my younger sister. My younger sister is now a senior at Stanford and will be graduating with a BS in management science and engineering in May. (Shameless proud older brother!) I know that when taking your class I would habitually come in late or not come at all. Whenever I did make it into my seat, I know it seemed like I was not prepared, engaged or mentally present. The truth is I was not prepared, engaged or present because I was only half awake and barely functioning. Many of my instructors assumed that I did not care and that I was just out having fun partying, when in reality I was struggling to ensure the survival of my family and myself. My time at Washington State University was not ideal. I did not have the quintessential college experience filled with comradery and good times. I never had the opportunity to go on Spring Break or to study abroad. Simply put, it was a struggle. Every semester I had to deal with the very real decision to leave. I spent some semesters sleeping in my car while parked down at the baseball field and taking showers in the old Dana Hall bathrooms. While I may not have retained very much as far class material is concerned, I did come away with a few things in your class. I remember you actually cared about your students. It may not seem like a lot but it meant a lot to me at the time and still means a lot to me now. I also remember that one day you spoke to us about your former "C students". You told the class about how many of your C students would write you years after graduation and tell you about their careers and how they had gone on to do great things. That many of them have gone to make 6 figure salaries or own their own companies. It felt like you were speaking directly to me. While some of the other kids scoffed and giggled, I wanted to raise my hand and say "Me! I’m a C student too" What you did at that moment was give me hope.
Tuesday November 19, 2013
1/2
Printed by John Schneider
Your Words of Encouragement
NNNNN DDDDDDDD
I was not the ideal student. I did not excel in my studies. I did not forge a relationship with any of the faculty in the EECS department. I had absolutely no professional network coming out of school. I graduated with a 2.59 accumulative gpa. I graduated from school during one of the worst economic crises America has ever been in. Coming out of school I was unemployed for 6 months before I had the good fortune (no sarcasm intended) to land a job cleaning bathrooms and fitting rooms at Sears. Life has never been "ideal" for me but the thing about hope is that when paired with a strong work ethic it can be very dangerous. A few short years later I am now an IT consultant who gets paid very well (6 figures just like you said I would lol) . I have had the ability to help my mother pay off her home and car in full, I have been able to help my sister follow her dreams while attending one of the best schools in the country, and most recently I have been able to purchase a home for myself. These things may not sound like much to most but to me they were all impossible dreams I had while sitting in your classroom with my head down. Please continue to let the C students know that, they too, can succeed. Let them know that their GPA does not determine their self worth or future successes. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement then and the impact you continue to have on my life. I am forever grateful, NNNNN DDDDDDDD EE Class of ’10
2/2
Tuesday November 19, 2013
