Teachers play an essential role in preserving and deepening collective wisdom. A good teacher not only guides through their expertise, but they know that the true teachings are found within each one of us and, after a lifetime of trying, erring, and persevering, they know how to create kind space for wisdom to arise.

I recently rediscovered a 59-page handwritten novel I wrote at age 12 titled “Stoop 12: Learning the Hardway.” Rereading this school project through an adult lens has been a profound experience, prompting me to reflect on the intersection of art and life.

The story follows a 17-year-old protagonist named Andrea living in “The Bricks” housing projects. It depicts a cycle of gang violence, theft, and teenage pregnancy—a world where characters are focused solely on survival. While the mature themes and body count (deaths) are startling for a childhood assignment, I am struck by how accurately it reflected the environment I was raised in.

In hindsight, I find myself questioning if my teacher at the time actually read the submission, given the explicit language and heavy subject matter. Despite the raw nature of the content, I can see how the project was intended to improve writing skills, boost creativity, and foster emotional intelligence.

I wanted to share these reflections with you as I process this look back at my younger self’s perspective on life. I am curious if you ever had similar assignments as a child, and if you still have any of those early writings?