There were two events that took place simultaneously that changed my life.
One was Sputnik, the first satellite launched into space. The Russians did it on October, 4, 1957.
I was in eighth grade and this event ushered in America’s space race with the Russians. All of a sudden I felt it was my patriotic duty to do my best in my science class.
The challenge was, I had received D’s on my first three tests.
It seemed like out of the blue my science teacher, Mr. Talbert, offered to help me prepare for the next test. That turned into the next six tests. I ended up with a B at the end of the semester.
It was the highest grade I earned in all my courses that year. However, it set me on a course where I was determined to improve myself.
I have often wondered what was the key factor that finally turned me on to working hard at school. Was it the Russians sending Sputnik into space, or was it Mr. Talbert taking the time to help me?
I’m a firm believer that whether as an individual or as a nation, we always need a nemesis to press up against us, challenging us to compete. For as long as I can remember, Russia has been America’s (and my) nemesis.
Russia and America divided up Europe between themselves after WW2, and started competing with one another to see which economic system was better: capitalism or state controlled socialism. Finally, in 1989 America won. Russia’s centrally controlled socialism folded. I took a victory lap along with almost every American.
The race was on to see whose nuclear arsenal was more powerful. Russia continues to have more nuclear warheads, while America claims to have the more powerful nuclear weapons. Both nations decided it was insane to engage in this kind of competition. Nuclear treaties have kept a lid on this. I breathed a long sigh of relief when these treaties started rolling out.
And so it’s been with our arch nemesis Russia.
And then there is Mr. Talbert’s efforts to help me get through eighth grade science. As twelfth grade ended, Mr. Talbert wrote me a letter congratulating me on my accomplishments throughout high school. He wrote that I had accomplished more than any other student he had ever taught. The letter surprised me. Surely he didn’t mean that I was the greatest achiever among all his students, but of those he had helped he saw more progress forward from where I started.
That has always been the case with me. My doctoral committee chairman, Dr. Pullias, said as much. He too told others he saw more progress from where I started than any doctoral student he had chaired. I wasn’t the greatest doctoral student he had, but the personal progress I made from where I started, I had no peer. I’ll take any compliment I can get in life.
So, what’s greater? To have a nemesis testing and challenging your potential? Or to have those who help you through to your highest potential?
I’ve needed both, but my preference is for those teachers who helped me reach my potential academically.