Early Education Experience

        I think a lot of people have significant experiences that form their education in high school and college.  These are places where lots of learning takes place and there are new challenges and experiences to be had in these places of learning.  But I significantly remember an educational experience that shaped me in the fifth grade.  I had a teacher named Mr. Craig.  He was my homeroom teacher and I believe I also had him for language arts and history.  I really enjoyed him, he was a great guy. and maintained a healthy tension of sternness while being fun and interesting.  I don't recall what the situation was; nor do I remember what called for him saying it.  Believe it or not I don't remember what he said verbatim.  It could have been early on in the year or after we turned in an assignment, but one day he said something to the effect of, "This isn't elementary school anymore (that's funny because it was only middle school), once you're in high school teachers won't let you slack off, and I'm not going to let you slack off here, get your assignments done."
        I wasn't a standout student in elementary school.  It's elementary school so there's a limit to how 'into it' a kid can actually be.  But I know i didn't every worry about the little homework I got.  If i got it done, sweet, but if I didn't then it wasn't a huge deal.  But for whatever reason, what Mr. Craig said that day hit home with me.  I made sure I paid attention and got my assignments done and turned in on time.  This seems so trivial but I think it's important because it set the tone for the rest of my middle school and high school education.
        You bet your bottom dollar I got those assignments done for Mr. Craig on time and for the rest of my teachers for that matter.  Doing homework became habit and I began to see the fruits of my labor.  I wasn't a perfect student, but I noticed that I was getting good grades while some of my friends were just skating by.  I'm grateful that Mr. Craig cared enough to be honest and real and start a habit in me that helped me all throughout my school even now into college.  I make sure (with a few exceptions) that I get my homework done.