I dropped a student today

I dropped a student today. I have only done that once before, with the exception of inactivity, that time, a new student starting first degree. He told me how experienced he was and what great honors he had and he certainly didn’t need me or anyone else to explain things to him. I stayed back to see how he would do. After six months he had not finished the first lesson. I dropped him.

Yesterday and today I had an experience that I have occasionally encountered in life, but never in Witch School. Most students are eager to learn and easy to help, their appreciation is the only real reward that we as mentors get. Normally it’s enough.

In this case it was a new student to me but ¾ of the way through second degree. I would typically expect a student by that time to be somewhat dedicated and eager to learn. This student for some reason or another had parted ways with her last mentor, I was about to find out why.

She submitted a report for her second degree project that I would consider mediocre at best. Considering that I had not known this person for long, not being sure of her educational background and that she was young, I decided to accept her report. I would see how she did on the balance of her requirements. Upon telling her that I had accepted her report I got a reply informing me that she was offended that her report was merely accepted and that she was used to praise because of her exceptional quality of her creative works. Interesting, this over a paper that I could put together in 30 to 45 minutes with a little help from the internet.

What to do? When arrogance and ignorance team up it’s pretty much a self defeating force.

After explaining some of the basic problems with her submission she replied that her submission was perfect and that the rest of her work would be brilliant but she would be submitting it to someone else.

Wow, I’m off the hook, worked out better than I had thought. I wished her good luck with future endeavors and dropped her like a hot rock.

It’s sad that sometimes we have to put up with people of this nature and obvious lack of character. Folks like this are obviously very unhappy about themselves and their lives. I would not have expected a person of this weak nature to have advanced as far as she did.

The hard part at least for me is that I really would like to help this person. I did however learn a long time ago, you can’t help anyone who won’t help themselves. You can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learn and no matter how much experience you have the young won’t recognize it until they grow up. It’s a shame that all that time is destined to be lost.

Ok, I may be venting, but I have mentored for quite some time. I guess what I am trying to express is that mentors do make a difference. For every problem like this one there will be scores more that are grateful for you time, service and dedication. You are important, you shape our future. Together we are building a Tradition to be proud of.

Sincere Blessings,

Rev. Bruce Richards HP