*Strong content delivered by teachers who had high expectations and prepared us for the likes of the cover of Time.

* When the content was difficult held our hand along the way - gently but strongly encourage , never giving up on us - but not letting us get away with less than our best.

*Gently criticizing so we didn't think everything we did was great and good - but could be improved when it needed to be - then we wouldn't fall apart when those in the real world judged us by "normal" standards.

*Giving us opportunity to shine in areas of our strength, to give us confidence. For example, display our work in the halls, in newsletters in art shows, on the stage in Wednesay morning meetings our principal acknowldeged our benchmarks reached and individual achievements.

I. Write
II. Read
III Know where I am headed
IV. Background/education I received will give me advantage I need to achieve my goals.
V. Teachers were supportive and demonstrated to me why I needed to further my education.
VI. Experience other cultures/hear other voices.
VII. Dreams. Goals to achieve.
VIII Small system. Teachers knew me - had high expectations for me- personally interested in me - pushed me.