What teacher has inspired me? by Gabriela

What teacher has inspired me? by Gabriela - March 2021 Scholarship Essay

Teachers are one of the most influential people in a student’s life. Their beliefs and actions can rub off on their students and maybe even change their way of thinking. Students look up to their teachers and admire them in different ways. Some teachers inspire their students to become teachers themselves, some teachers inspire their students to pursue a career in the subject they teach, and some teachers inspire their students in a more personal way.
Throughout the years, I have encountered countless teachers who have inspired me in many ways, but no one tops Mr. Parry. This teacher who has inspired me the most is my freshman year composition teacher who was also my junior year AP Language teacher. He has inspired me in a more personal way than a career influence. His demeanor is very calm, but he stands up for himself whenever needed. I can relate this to my own personality. I tend to be a very relaxed person that does not get set off or angry easily, but if I am required to, I can become very stern. Mr. Parry and I had mutual respect for each other which I have never experienced with another teacher. We had a close relationship and trust, so I felt comfortable approaching him if I needed help. A lot of my teachers are very strict and unapproachable, leaving me feeling like I cannot go to them with questions. Mr. Parry is not like that. He made it clear to the students that he was always there to help before school, during lunch, or whenever he could get us in. People even go to his room to have lunch just because of how great he is. If he gets annoyed with us, he definitely does not show it (haha). He strived to ensure each of his students understood what we were doing. His passion for English and Literature was conveyed strongly to us and made us feel passionate towards it, too. He was so intelligent with his speech and explanations that it made me want to be like him. I strive to be as well-spoken and thorough as Mr. Parry.
His intelligence and way of thinking has inspired me to look deeper into things. We read so many complicated books that seem like a simple story but are actually filled with deeper meanings. I believe that if I had a different teacher to explain these difficult books, I would not have understood anything about them. Because of his thoroughness, I was able to grasp the hidden concepts and use them in intelligent conversations about the books. He taught us why learning is important. Instead of teaching for the test (or essay, in our case), he demonstrated how our comprehension and other skills that we were learning would benefit us in the future. This feature distinguishes him from the rest of the teachers I have had. In addition to this, Mr. Parry made learning fun. He gave us many opportunities to do group work, fun presentations, and a relaxed environment. He was very adamant about keeping a peaceful classroom and had an essential oil diffuser that was useful for calming nerves. I have always struggled with anxiety, and having a teacher cater to students who struggle like me is very admirable. I have never had another teacher show any interest in helping students with mental illnesses that can distract them from learning. I am always stressed in my classes, but in his, I never was. He has shown so much compassion to me and other students that I have a strong desire to do so for others in the future. He even had a coffee maker for the students! Mediocre teachers do not explain how what they are teaching helps us, but amazing teachers take the time to show us how it will help in our lives.
Out of all the teachers I have had the pleasure of experiencing, there have been none quite like Mr. Parry. He is extraordinary, and I am so blessed to have had him as a teacher. I hope everyone has a teacher like him sometime in their life. His passion, intensity, and kindness make him one of a kind.