One Short Lesson, One Long-lasting Impression by Chelsea

One Short Lesson, One Long-lasting Impression by Chelsea - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

“Line up! No talking!” screamed Mr. Morris. The sound of warfare ringing in our ears as he opened the classroom door. “Now get on your knees, and crawl through the trenches!”

Shocked, we followed his instructions and crawled under the make-shift barricade of desks he had created in the doorway. My eyes adjusted to the darkness of the classroom, and I joined some of my classmates who were huddled in the “trenches,” which were created from piles of desks on both sides of the classroom. In the background, a projector screen displayed short clips of gunfire and explosions, while we started to take in the lesson Mr. Morris had so elaborately created.

This one lesson, which only took a little extra time and effort on Mr. Morris’ part, had a long lasting impact on my views of education. It was not the movie we watched, the costume he wore, or the over-dramatic set up of the classroom that affected me. It was the simple fact that he cared enough about our education to try and gain the attention of a bunch of teenagers forced to take yet another social studies class. It was the realization that teachers are not there because they like to torture their students with pointless busy work. It was his passion, and the value he placed on sharing his knowledge that became ingrained in the back of my mind.

Educators have the power to inspire their students and guide their learning and growth. As students, we have the opportunity to open our minds and receive that guidance. Mr. Morris inspired me to take my education into my own hands, not only in the classroom but in everything I do. I now search for the passion that so many teachers yearn to share with their students. My outlook on education is something I have come to treasure, and it will continue to be valuable long after my formal education is complete.