Liza's Transformation
Elizabeth was unaware of how concerned her parents were about her studies and career. As a teen in her 15s, it was not either expected to be fully aware and equally concerned about the academics or career on her part. Busy as she was, she continued her passion for music rather than studies and parents' expectations.
No surprise, the day broke and so rose the Peterson family the next morning. Mrs. Peterson set the table ready for breakfast and called for liza and her father to dine together. He had been looking for the best time to talk to Liza before he went to her school, Alex Martino Jr. High School, and had a chat with them.
He started, "Well, Liz, I want to know exactly about your interest and passion-- is it your studies or music or sports?"
She glanced at him with a morsel of bread and egg in her mouth and remained quiet for a while. Mr. Peterson waited patiently to hear a word from her. A cold silence ruled the warm room before her mother broke it.
"I know she won't reply to you 'coz she has no idea what she is doing and what will come of her in the offing."
"Well, I know what I'm doing and where it'll lead me. Why are you bothering me so much about my future? Have you seen the future, mom?"
"Hold your tongue Liza, is this the way you reply to your mom?" "Have you seen the future ... ?" Murmured Mr. Peterson.
"Sorry dad, I didn't mean to hurt her but I was at a loss of the correct expression." "Mom, please feel no offense, I'm so sorry about it."
"Listen to me Liz, life isn't as easy as it was in our times. You gotta see at least ten years hence to build the right career and, you can't spare the times in indecision or dilemma. You must choose one between the two: studies or music."
Liza was not in a position to clearly tell her dad what she should say or make a choice then and there. It was indeed difficult for any teenager to do so. He was now getting impatient and wanted Liza to answer his question. Disappointed and angry, he got up from his place and drove towards East Joliet Highway.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Peterson says, "Look, baby, we are not asking you to abandon your passions if you have for anything, but all we want to see you, is making substantial progress in your primary path towards the dream we have envisioned for you- a well-educated and successful entrepreneur much more than what your father could do in all these years. We want you to continue the legacy of your dad in a more advanced way that can cater to the growing demands of soybeans and corn in the whole state of Illinois and beyond"
Liza finally broke the silence and confessed to her mother that she had a strong passion for music. In fact, it started since she was a 7th grader and mostly after Mrs. Tessa Stoller's appointment as a music teacher, violin specialist, besides her vocal versatility. She added, "You know mom, I was doing quite well in my Maths and English and I still do well in English, but I no more like Maths for reasons I fear to share with many.
"Actually, we have a maths teacher who is so intimidating and unnecessarily strict. Each time, you ask her a question and request for a one-time repeated demonstration on the board or the slide, she explodes and starts growling at us as if we've committed cold-blooded murder. I am at a fix as to whether to continue with Maths or opt for another subject like music."
Mr. Peterson arrived at the school in New Lenox. A day before he had fixed the appointment time. With some anxiety, he entered the principal's chamber wherein the center of the room was a huge office bossy chair. A man of about in his 60s was seated in it.
"Are you Mr. Peterson, if I am not mistaken by this time?" "How's Liza doing in her virtual classes?"
"All she's doing is her music. I'm afraid, but you've left no room in her for the rest of her studies." "I mean, she has a strong passion for music and least for her core subjects like Maths, English, Science and Social Studies." He quipped.
" What? Liza has no interest in her core subjects, but music!" Mr. Olson was surprised.
It was only last year, she received the student of the year award for the best performance in her academics and other activities. How come she lose her interest so abruptly?"
"That's the question I've come with, only to find the answer and correct ways to redraw her interest to her core subjects. I don't believe this music's gonna pave her a strong way to live a comfortable life. I don't want my only child to suffer the way her mother and I did." Mr. Peterson nearly broke down.
"Nevermind, Mr. Peterson. I'm happy that you approached us quite in time. I'll personally counsel her before I send her to our expert and the teachers concerned as well. Together we can find the solutions to your problem. And also note that you aren't gonna chide the child only for this. Let the days get normal and once our kids are back to school, after this pandemic, all things will be sorted out."
Mr. Peterson had especially wanted to see the Violin teacher but since only the Principal and a few ancillary staff stayed on the school campus, he could not do so. He got her phone number from the information desk and drove towards Bloomington to attend a conference organized by Illinois Soybean Association.
Liza and her mother were now at one in her choice of the options Mr. Peterson had given at breakfast. Liza was ready to work the way her parents would want her--focus more on her core subjects and carry on with her passion for music as well.
Mrs. Peterson and Liza are now preparing to give him a big surprise and see how he is gonna react to this.
Epilogue
Does it mean that parents are paranoid and overly concerned about their children's future? Were the Peterson just and reasonable in their concern about Liza's core subjects? Are there not any other areas for school teenagers to make a career than purely based on Maths, English, and Science? How much does it impact the intrinsic motivation of a learner when their teacher goes a little awry from the typical sense of responsibility? Should teenagers be always rebellious and non-conformists? Should parents or even teachers force or impose their choices upon their children? What is the right age for a learner to make their own decisions for a career path? Can teachers significantly impact the perspectives of their learners? Are mothers the best mentors for their children? How long can a child keep misunderstanding his or her mother? In what ways can a father impact the life of his child? Can tactful communication bring the hostile forces to a table of peace and mutual understanding? These are some of the dominant questions for today's stakeholders of education that probably have been answered in the present story episodes, Elizabeth's Future and Liza's Transformation.
The End
