-
Discuss a teacher who had a positive influence on your life. What did he/she do that was influential for you?
-
Mrs. Somers was my third grade teacher and I had heard rumors of how tough she was. I became very nervous and anxious about being in her class and for the first two weeks of school, I would make myself a nervous wreck and sick. She was tough, had high expectations, pushed me to do my best, but obviously cared greatly about me. Finally, my parents and the principal met and decided to offer a classroom switch to help me settle. I chose to stick it out and Mrs. Somers is the reason I am a teacher today. She made me want to do my best, be my best, and honor God with my work. She had high expectations and always gave the biggest and best hugs. It was obvious that she loved me and her other students.
-
My third grade teacher took the time to challenge me and to reward me for working hard. I went to a school where behavior was an issue. She made an effort to continually encourage me to be myself and to lead by example.
-
My Spanish tutor, Nila. She would bring me to lectures at Princeton University, meet her family, teach me her cooking.
-
First grade teacher Mrs. Mahulland. I was held back my first year and I had to repeat 1st grade. Mrs. Mahulland was the teacher I got. She was very proud of her son who was an FBI agent. She knew that I was discouraged because I was repeating the grade. She often told me that I could be like her son. She encouraged me to think positively and that I was smart enough to be an agent too. There was nothing wrong with me, it was just that my parents were not educated people, I never saw a book in our house when I was younger. They had paid no attention to teaching me; so when I went to school for the first time I did not know my alphabet or numbers. Because of Mrs. Mahulland’s encouragement I quickly learned and was soon a book worm. Now I have a large library in my office and I love to read. Mrs. Mahulland always said that whenever you sign your name to your work you are saying that you have given it your best effort. I still use this thinking today.
-
My kindergarten teacher loved me and my peers. She invested her money and time to plan fun, education activities. She also cooked for us various delicious snacks. Her life modeled what it means to love on people. I recall about her whenever I reflect my love for my students.