Dylan O'Brien reveals how childhood letter saved by third-grade teacher became the wind beneath his wings as an actor
Acting was not on the cards for this rising celebrity until a letter arrived in his mailbox during his graduation year
Sometimes, our obstacles get the better of us, and we need a reminder of why we dared to dream in the first place. For actor Dylan O’Brien, this reminder came from his third-grade teacher, Mr. Campbell, who long sowed the encouragement to dream among his students. Sitting on the Drew Barrymore Show, the actor revealed that his passion for becoming an actor was sparked by a letter his teacher saved years ago. It was only fair that O’Brien got a chance to thank his beloved mentor properly, and Barrymore made it happen. In the clip shared on February 3, the duo spoke about Mr. Campbell and how his one activity fueled the dreams of many.
Going back into his school days, the “Teen Wolf” star revealed that he was never into acting from the beginning. That was the case until his graduation, when a letter arrived in his mailbox. It was one he had written back in the third grade. “We had done this assignment in third grade, where he had you write a letter to yourself as a senior in high school, and he sent it to you in the year that you're graduating,” he recalled. When he opened the letter, he saw that he had written about his wish to “study acting.” That’s how things took a turn, and the “Maze Runner” actor actually explored the idea of becoming a star.
Now ready to feature in “Send Help,” starring Rachel McAdams and Chris Hemsworth, he cannot emphasize enough how crucial Mr. Campbell’s intervention was. When he was still in his 20s, O’Brien contacted his teacher to thank him. "By the way, you know, your letter meant so much to me,” he said, adding that it was the very reminder that gave him the “go-ahead” to explore his dream. Barrymore, along with other fans, knew what a gift the teacher gave to Hollywood through O’Brien and ensured he received a proper thanks. She invited him onto the set to surprise the actor, and with a strong and grateful embrace, he finally experienced the value of his effort as a teacher.
Sharing how he stumbled upon the idea, the third-grade professor said that it came from a parent when he was still new to the profession. He took up the activity and has been doing it for 18 years. He revealed that he has taught around 600 students so far. The best part of this time-consuming experience is that “the kids come back to let me know what they’re up to.” His simple and thoughtful act has really made a difference, possibly for many like O’Brien. For the actor, it was like a sign from the universe to pursue a place in the film industry, and he couldn't be more glad that he did
We’ve all had some dream career as kids, and thanks to the boost from loved ones and special mentors, some of us make it through. According to data shared by Study Finds, out of 2,000 Americans surveyed, 43% said that they are living their childhood dream. 19% added that they had worked in their dream field in the past. Whether it was becoming a lawyer, doctor, teacher, or actor, many were able to explore what it was like at some point in their lives. 87% of American adults credited skills they learned during their childhood as a factor that helped them find careers in their adult lives.
And that’s why it’s seriously important to have an educator who is willing to go above and beyond in some way. Research published by Taylor and Francis showed that a majority of teachers believe that creative teaching methods are necessary to foster lessons that go beyond the book and leave a lasting impact. They believe that diverse teaching methods must be incorporated so as to allow children to explore creativity and also find what works best for them. Thanks to Mr. Campbell’s creative approach, some of the finest careers have been shaped among individuals.
Several former students revealed how the letters from Mr. Campbell changed their lives. @jodiemiichelle314 said, “I was in the first class Mr. Campbell did this for. I wrote that I wanted to be a third-grade teacher just like Mr. Campbell. I am currently in my 14th year of teaching! I still have my letter!” @cbibbo824 added, “I remember getting my letter, and I had said I wanted to go to Princeton and become an Olympic swimmer — neither of which happened. But it was a special memory to receive and see how far I had come at that point in life!”
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