I remember that when I was taught to read, I already knew more words than I realized. Watching my father's finger run under the words as he read them had subconsciously helped me learn those words. I learned to read and write at a much faster pace than my peers. I felt impatient with those left behind, not realizing that not everyone was afforded the same advantages as me. As I began to read on my own, my great-aunt, a retired kindergarten teacher, sent me a box of books she used in class every year for my birthday. During elementary school, when I received the box, I would take it to my room and practice reading all the books on my own. Being able to read on my own opened the door to a world I hadn't been able to reach without help