I made a student cry today

Graduation will be held later this evening. One of the two student speakers was a student in the class I taught during the first half of this quarter. She asked me if I'd revise her speech for tonight, and I agreed. Well, she e-mailed it to me this morning, and I fixed her wording, etc., to add clarity. This afternoon she called me and told me I had made her cry. (Uh-oh. Was I too harsh? Did I change too much of her speech?) She said she loved what I had done with her speech and that I really seemed to get what she was trying to say, that I expressed exactly what was on her heart.

The main point of her speech is that we should never let anyone else's low expectations for us or poor impressions of us color our own views of who we are. Each one of us is unique and has our own dreams and abilities. Throw off the negative thoughts that entangle us and run with perseverence the race before us and claim the prize. Success awaits.

I think I was able to express what was on the student's heart because it's a theme I think of every single day.

For most of the 2+ years I've held this postion in the library, I've let myself feel inadequate because the degrees I hold are not library-related. When other librarians have voiced generalities about people without MLIS degrees not being real librarians, I not only have been hurt but also have let the comments color how I view my value as a librarian. The student's speech reminded me that I know who I am no matter what others say, and how others label me does not change the fact that I am unique and have much to offer. I am a skilled librarian with excellent research and customer service skills. I am a patient instructor who builds confidence while building skill. I am a librarian.