Yes, it was embarrassing and yes, it was my fault trying to be cool and hang with the older kids that did not have anything going for themselves at the time. .
So another year passed and I continued to do the same things. The DC Public schools just passed me along to the next grade once more. But as I went to the sixth grade I got out of DC Public School System and went to a public charter school with a good academic system. I then found myself going to school and actually beginning to gain the benefits of being in the classroom and obtaining the benefits of getting an education. Upon entry of my new school and grade, they quickly saw that I was not on the right grade level and they moved me quickly to get me on top of my game. As I entered the sixth grade I was reading on a fourth grade level. They put me in special education classes to build my foundation to be up to par. I now had a support system in the new school and a team behind me that made sure I was doing what I was supposed to do. I tried skipping school again, but now the school would call home and tell my mother that I was not there today and I would get in trouble when I got home. Constant phone call homes and butt whopping's began to be tiring and I began to just go to school. While in school I began to learn things like how to form a sentence, writing, and reading skills. .
I hated the fact that I had to be in a different classroom setting than everyone else. I knew people looked at me like I was stupid and they thought they were better than me. I remember my first special education teacher Mr. Priest, I gave him hell day in and day out. But as I came to realization at the end of the day I still could not read or write on the right grade level. So I decided to put my pride aside one day and began to actually let someone help me. I finally let the people who knew what they were doing lend a helping hand. I finally started to listen and follow the right people.