I would be remiss if I didn't include the tale of Eigo. He was special needs. When I first started at his school, the principal said very apologetically that I will also have to teach special needs students. They feel everyone has the right to learn English. The tone he used, it was like a subtext of "Sorry you gotta teach the 'R-Words' too." I said it was no problem at all.

In fact, the special needs kids were some of my best students. And Eigo is the GOAT. Absolutely loved learning English and he worked really hard. My first day there he asked me to autograph his pencil box.

Eigo had a smallish head and malformed ears. He got bullied a lot, especially this one asshole in the class. One day, every time the teacher had her back turned, asshole kid would get up and flick Eigo's ear. After the third time, Eigo snapped and just started wailing on the bully. And winning too.

I'm from Detroit. I ain't see shit. Fuck him up Eigo. He deserved to get some good licks in. The teacher hears the commotion and I act shocked like I hadn't noticed.

Eigo gets in trouble and the language barrier, I wasn't able to communicate that asshole kid started it. She takes him out of the classroom and a few moments later, Eigo comes back to class with tears in his eyes. It hurt my heart that he got in trouble that he didn't deserve.

I had so many students I only remember a few of their names. And Eigo is one that stood out from the pack. I hope he's doing well.