Travel Through Time by Debi

Travel Through Time by Debi - December 2014 Scholarship Essay

My first grade teacher was the first to shape me. With her patience, I learned how to read and how to write simple sentences. Without her I would not have learned forbearance.

My second grade teacher taught me punishment. Yes, I threw mulch at a classmate. Yes, I did not receive my sticker for the day and went home crying. Without this memory I would not have learned consequences for my actions.

My third grade teacher taught me how to be a free spirit. She loved life and prepared us for the real world. Because of her I want to surf in Hawaii and explore internationally to learn about different cultures.

I did not get along with my fourth grade teacher. He was strong willed and aggressive. The whole year I hated his class but I am thankful I learned you will not always get the good teacher and you have to make the best of what you have.

My fifth grade teacher was my favorite. She enlightened me about middle school and taught me that one bad grade is not the end of the world. I had always been a straight A student and when I received a bad grade on one quiz she quietly sat me down and told me one bad grade does not define the person who I am.

My sixth grade history teacher taught me to think before I spoke. I thought I was a big and tough middle school student and ran my mouth too far one class and regretted it the rest of the year. He forgave but never forgot. After that incident, I kept my opinions to myself unless it positively added to a conversation.

My seventh grade math class was with the eighth graders. I was terrified and felt slightly nerdy for being in an advanced class. She explained to me that I should be proud of my intelligence and that I should never fear older kids. I learned to embrace my intelligence and used it to meet new friends.

In eighth grade, I had the worst Spanish class. The teacher had no control over the class and the students easily took advantage of her. At first, I went along with the jokes and pranks and of course, she would punish us. Half way through the year I realized that respect goes a long way and if I gave her my attention I would not only learn how to speak Spanish but I would receive her respect in return.

My ninth grade year was a blur. I disliked being the little fish in the sea and I felt like everyone hated me. My history teacher did not teach his class well, but I did learn one important thing from him; No matter where you go in life, you will rotate between the big and small fish, the opportunity to grow as a person is much bigger than the sea you’re in.

My tenth grade British literature teacher taught me how to be extroverted. I had no friends in her class and I did not like presenting in front of a class that I had no one to laugh with. She pulled me aside after class one day and told me that she knew I was social from seeing me outside of the classroom and she revealed that I did not have to be shy and I could make new friends. At first, I did not believe her but I took her advice and made a friend who is very important to me today.

Eleventh grade was the most stressful. There was a lot of pressure about grades for college but throughout it all I had my AP Biology teacher. She always asked how I was and likewise it always made my day. She showed me a small act of kindness goes a long way. From her actions, I love going out of my way to compliment or say Hello to people.

Now I’m in twelfth grade. Senior year is nothing like I thought it would be and everything I do is my last time doing it in high school. So far, I have learned that time is precious and I wish I had not wished all these years away. My adulthood is coming and every day I question why I wanted to grow up so badly.

Throughout my twelve years in the public school system, I did a bunch of book work and completed countless tests, but the things I take away most from all of it is the life lessons I learned throughout the years. These lessons will take me farther in life than the night I crammed for a math test or the time I forgot my homework at home. As a graduating senior, I can confidently look back on my education and know for a fact, I was molded into the person I am because of it.