The Teachers to Appreciate by Isabel

The Teachers to Appreciate by Isabel - November 2020 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my years as a highschool student, I have found that I never seem to remember the bad test grades, tough homework assignments, or long projects. I always seem to come back to one thing, the teachers. In my education, I am most thankful for the teachers who have taught me the most valuable lessons. Spending eight hours a day in a classroom is not always ideal but with the right advice I believe we make it through. The struggles are what build us, but first you must have a good foundation.
My freshman year of high school I was a young bubbly girl who hoped that the next few years would be what my parents, siblings, and coaches claimed it would be. I had made the high school's cheer team and advanced singing group called show choir. I was ecstatic to be a part of the show choir, I wanted nothing more than to be on the stage singing and dancing. Along with being excited for the experience of the class, I was excited to have my favorite teacher directing it. His name was Mr. Huff, he was an oddball to some as he made goofy faces in order to get stressed students to smile. He was my absolute favorite. During my time in his class he often said “always give your one-hundred percent, no matter what.” This influenced me greatly, it was such a simple idea, how could I not exercise it daily. So that I did, in whatever I do I will always give one-hundred percent. He transferred schools a year later but his simple message still resonates.
As freshman and sophomore year passed, I had made it to junior year. I began to take harder courses that would count as a college credit. The first college course I took was U.S. history. The teacher of this course was more passionate about history than any teacher I had ever seen. He forced you to create original thoughts about topics an average student may not have cared to learn. Seeing his passion in history sparked my curiosity. I wanted to know what made him so passionate about history and how that passion kept him going. He truly cared about each and everyone of his students in a way most others teachers wouldn't. For this I will always be grateful, he taught me how to engage myself in different ways and to find something to be passionate about in my own life.
Despite my junior year being cut short, I had enjoyed every bit of it. It had prepared me for my senior year which I felt was going to fly by. To make my days more enjoyable I took classes that would spark creativity and ease my stress. I took a course called creative writing. It was a semester long course that dove into the topics of poetry, short stories, advertising and more. The teacher for this course was one I had before, he was kind and passionate about literature. My favorite thing about this teacher was how he made you feel like you were the most brilliant author, he always commented on my poems and short stories. Often making me feel like I was not doing the work for an A but to better myself in the art of literature. He taught me to have motivation and to not give up on things that appear hard. He always asked his students to “dig deeper.” This thought stays with me no matter what assignment I am completing, because of this teacher I will always want to dig deeper and learn more.
Teachers have made the biggest impact in my education. They teach me to never give up, find my passion, and always dig deeper. I am truly grateful for those who devote themselves every day to make future generations smarter and stronger. Every student should have a teacher who puts the utmost faith in them. With a strong foundation, a few struggles, and a little bit of motivation we find success. Thank you to the teachers who rise above all.