The Final Editorial

Katrina Karl
May 26, 2009
Filed under Editorials, News

There are two days left of my time at ‘Iolani and at this moment I still have numerous school-related obligations I should be attending to instead of writing this and watching Seinfeld.

But this is more important. I felt that I had to write this to recognize the teachers at ‘Iolani School.

As students, we fail too often to provide that ideal free exchange of ideas that should exist in the classroom. When we fail each other as students, we need our teachers’ ideas and perspectives to guide us more than ever.

To the teachers I’ve had the privilege of getting to know: you are the people who made ‘Iolani for me, and I speak for most of my friends when I say so. Everyone knows you are brilliant, but you are some of the kindest, sincerest, and most inspiring people I know. To those of you thinking progressively and sharing your thoughts with your students: I hope that someday we can all see your respective visions for change at ‘Iolani and in the world realized. Thank you for the guidance you give all of us in and out of the classroom. Thank you for meeting what I’ve shared with you about what I want to study and do with my life with your uncensored thoughts rather than blank stares, feigned enthusiasm, and unfunny jokes. Thank you even more to those of you who influenced and encouraged those hopes.

To the teachers I never connected with, for whatever reason: In some of your classes (in which many days were struggles), I learned exactly what I’m not good at, and in that realm, both what I could do to improve and what was close to impossible for me no matter how hard I studied—something that taught me more about myself as a student and as a person than more easily-earned successes in other courses. Thank you for that.

There is one teacher I must acknowledge as an individual: you’ve never taught at ‘Iolani, and you probably never should, but I must put this in writing somewhere and acknowledge just how much you’ve taught me over the years (besides the obvious, and also your advice to always have a supply of one’s own blood, and to never co-sign a loan). You taught me how to truly assert myself, and at the very same time, how not to treat others. You’ll probably never read this, but if you do, I know you know who you are. No one will ever take your place as the best bad influence in my life.

To the teachers everywhere who helped me to better know myself:

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” –Carl Jung

It’s time for me to say goodbye, ‘Iolani. Despite your parking spaces that sometimes required me to get out of my car by crawling out of the backseat, I can’t think of a better place to have grown up.

To the class of 2009: “If you are reading this then this warning is for you. Every word you read of this useless fine print is another second off your life. Don’t you have other things to do? Is your life so empty that you honestly can’t think of a better way to spend these moments? Or are you so impressed with authority that you give respect and credence to all that claim it? Do you read everything you’re supposed to read? Do you think everything you’re supposed to think? Buy what you’re told to want? [. . .] Prove you’re alive. If you don’t claim your humanity you will become a statistic. You have been warned.” –Tyler Durden