Mr. Williams

As I walk through the hallway of my new school, I approach the door to my first class of the day. This is a big moment for me. It’s honestly nerve-wracking. I’m in a whole new building this time, ready to start my first class in middle school. To add to the nerves, I had missed the first 5 days of the school year because my flight from Haiti to the U.S. was delayed. On top of this, I was late to class. I knock on the door to my English class. Mr. Williams opens. I explained to him how I was new to the school and who I was. My voice was shaking. Mr. Williams was a bit confused as I was still 20 minutes late to his class. He let me inside.

Mr. Williams was very comical and entertaining. He was very good at engaging his students and keeping their attention. He would always joke around and make us laugh. He was such a bright spirit. His authenticity bled through his work. That was clear to me.

I wasn’t the most comfortable in my English class. I always felt strange. Perhaps it had to do with being the only black kid in class. I felt out of place. Or perhaps I was just shy and awkward at the core, hoping no one would trigger any fears or insecurities I had. English was also my second language. I didn’t know my place in this world. It’s as if I were an alien, just watching the world around me. It didn’t feel like I really belonged here. But Mr. Williams saw otherwise.

My English teacher was very good at his craft. He kept his class attentive as well as motivated. Everyone generally got good grades here. Mr. Williams did his job well. With myself it was different though. My demeanor in class everyday spoke of complacency and laziness. But Mr. Williams wouldn’t accept this.

Let’s say I got a 70/100 on an assignment. After informing me of this grade, he would then tell me I belong at a minimum of 90/100. He would say, “This is what you got (70/100). Now you belong over here (90/100 – 100/100). Next time, be here, okay?” I’d nod and reply, “Okay.” Mr. Williams saw me as a superstar before I knew what this word meant. The sad thing is, I didn’t really take him seriously. It was a continuous cycle where I’d get a certain grade and Mr. Williams would remind me that I’m capable of much more. Perhaps I took him for granted. Not every child is fortunate enough to have someone who believes in them. I was 12 years old.

Final exam season came quickly. I had soon completed all of them and felt free as I walked through the hallway at school. Mr. Williams caught me and asked, “Hey Dixon, do you have a second?” I replied, “Yes.” He said, “Let me ask you something. And you don't have to answer this if you don't want to. But do you believe in God?" I replied, "Yes, of course." He said, "Well God made you smart. And for you to get a grade like that in my class.........” He knew I could’ve done better. He said that I could be anything I want to be in this world. He said that I could achieve anything I want to and that I have no limitations.

That day in the hallway, I was taken aback. What did Mr. Williams see in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time? I couldn’t comprehend his belief in me. I just nodded and said, “Okay”at the end of our conversation. I can’t say I fully understood him then. Why was I so special? What was it about me that moved him to say these things? I remember not being very motivated in his class and mostly just going through the motions. Perhaps I had said or written a few things that were impactful to him. Maybe this showed him that my laziness was a front to who I really was.

Mr. Williams was real. And by real, I mean he meant every single word he said to me. The following school year he would remind me of his words every time he would see me in the hallway. He had made me promise to do my best when we last spoke. In his eyes, one way or another, I would become the man he envisioned.

I would eventually start getting grades of 90/100 – 100/100 in school just like Mr. Williams said I could. I had finally started to apply myself. These grades would even land me a full scholarship at New York University, a university that I had initially thought was too high to reach. But it didn’t stop there. I would later get opportunities to live and work in multiple countries. Up to date, I’ve visited 15 countries, 3 of which I’ve been to at least 3 times. I remember having lunch one day in Bali, Indonesia. There was a mountain in my view. I thought to myself, “Mr. Williams, you were right. I can do anything.”

He knew this was in me. God spoke through Mr. Williams that day in the hallway. Looking back now I can see this. Today I have dreams of being a writer. I want my words to impact the world, just like the words of my English teacher impacted me. I met someone at the beach yesterday who I shared my writing aspirations with. I said, “I want to be a writer.” She said, “You are a writer.” I’m sure Mr. Williams would say the same thing.

I was 13 when Mr. Williams and I spoke in the hallway after my final exams. And now, at 28, I'm honoring his name. This is 15 years overdue. I don’t remember saying “Thank you” that day or any day after. What a shame. He was the first person who I clearly saw believed in me. Meanwhile, I had felt lost with no direction. Mr. Williams, your belief in me was not in vain. You had a foresight longer than my age at the time. I didn’t understand you then, but I do now. Thanks to you I’m learning to tap into my capabilities and who I truly am every day. I need to see you again Mr. Williams. I have a lot to tell you. On top of this, I owe you. When I write my first book, I want you to be the first to read it. I want to show you that your student did it, just like you believed.