A Teacher's Touch by Delcia

A Teacher's Touch by Delcia - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

Mr. Thomas was my fifth grade teacher, and he taught me the most important life lesson I will never forget.
I was eleven years old. All around the world in fifth grade, an all-day event is set up to teach children about the approaching changes in our bodies. Permission sheets were sent home, and it turned out that I was absent that day, and my desk was skipped.
Weeks passed, and I had no idea of the matter. People talked about the program, but nobody told me what it was.
When the big day arrived, I sat through the event, then left with all my new papers, and went to be picked up by my mom in the drop-off area outside, to go home. She asked if there was anything I wanted to give her, so I got the handouts from my backpack.
Suddenly, my mom was out of the car, and angrily marching me right back into the school. She searched my desk for over a half hour before Mr. Thomas came into the room and asked what was going on. She told him and he tried to tell her it must have been a misunderstanding, but she wouldn't have it. She was fuming mad, and decided that I must have thrown it away so she couldn't find it.
Later, my mom made me write a sorry note to Mr. Thomas about the whole incident.
The next day I took it in, in an envelope, and I told Mr. Thomas that this was the sorry note my mom told him I'd be bringing. I will never forget how he looked at the envelope, took it from me, ripped it in half, and threw it in the trash. He said, "I know it wasn't your fault. If anything, it's my fault because I didn't notice you hadn't turned in the permission sheet, or I could have taken care of it."
That is the defining moment where I learned that there is always a 100% truth, and a 100% falsehood, and those who defend truth are the ones who stand by the right. They are better people to be around because they are more positive, and they are happier. Mr. Thomas taught me that day to always stand up for what is real and true, no matter who might hate me or punish me for it.
Mr. Thomas is one teacher I can truly say changed the direction of my life. He taught me how to be the best me, despite who or what tries to tear me down, and I am forever grateful for his wonderful impact in my life.