A Teacher Who Inspired by Emily

A Teacher Who Inspired by Emily - November 2015 Scholarship Essay

Getting up and going to school is not always fun. When it is though you know your teachers are doing something right. I have been given one of the most important gifts for free, an education. In my Junior year of High School I decided to take Latin 1. This might have very well been one of the best decisions I made in my high school career.
I remember walking in the classroom the first day of Latin. Pictures covered the walls each with a story to go along with it. Carpe Diem was painted on a sign. At the time I did not even know what that meant. My group of friends and I all sat on the side furthest from the teacher’s desk. I did not know what to think about this teacher. She seemed nice enough but also a little quirky. The class had the typical first day rules. Don’t eat messy food in class, all drinks need a lid, and stay off your phone, the usual list of things. As if it is not bad enough having to go through a list of rules for a class once in a day, I had to listen to them twice. My latin teacher was also my AP English teacher. It was safe to say that by the end of the day I was doubting whether or not I should get a schedule change.
The next day was different. Seating charts were in place and books were passed out. We were finally beginning our journey through the Latin language. Normally, I would not have been too thrilled about seating charts, but I was right by my friends. Oh, and in the front row. I made an effort to put my best foot forward and make the best out of the class. This is something I will forever be thankful for.
Throughout the year I learned what it is really like to enjoy learning in the school setting. I always had the tendency to be interested in certain subjects but I never truly enjoyed learning at school. I owe this to my teacher. She did not teach for the paycheck, or the test at the end of the year. She taught us because she wanted us to have the opportunity to enjoy learning just like she does.
To think if I had not had the opportunity to take Latin I might have never understood the true meaning of education.