The Teacher That Made The Difference by Jennifer

The Teacher That Made The Difference by Jennifer - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

Being in the education system for twelve years, students encounter a wide variety of adults who help mold them through this journey. I have been blessed that my journey has been shaped by numerous incredible educators who have truly made a difference. However, the one person who has had an inconceivable positive impact on my education was my middle school outdoor education teacher, Coach Chilshom.
Middle school was a difficult time in my life where I struggled with my mental health. My twin sister was going through her own mental health journey at the same time. I didn’t realize it, but her struggle had a direct impact on me. I suppressed my inner feelings and tried to present myself as indifferent to my sister's situation because I didn’t want to add any additional stress to my parents having to worry about me also. This was effective for some time, but as a person who reads like an open book, cracks began to show through my facade. As I was walking to class one day, Coach Chisholm called me over to come talk to her. Once I reached her, she gave me a hug and asked me what was wrong. It came as a shock to me when she asked because I hadn’t told anyone about my sister’s situation. She said I haven’t been looking like myself lately and my whole disposition seemed off. From there I emotionally broke down to her, telling her through a face full of tears what was going on with my sister. Her arms embraced me, providing a sense of comfort that I didn’t realize I missed, but desperately needed. That moment marked the advent of Coach Chisholm helping me heal my mental health. She made herself available to talk to her whenever I needed and I took every advantage of it. Whenever I had a tornado of thoughts I would seek her out and she was able to calm the storm. She knew however, she could only help me out so much and that I needed to talk with someone more experienced. When she first mentioned talking to our school counselor, I was hesitant to do so because I am a reserved person. Coach Chislom knew this would be the best for my healing so she promised me she would be there with me and I agreed to go. I was terribly nervous to attend, but as she promised I saw her smiling face when I walked into the counselor's office. After the session, it felt as if all my weights and burdens were taken off of me. I saw my school counselor periodically after that whenever I needed the weight to be lifted off again. Coach Chisholm freed me from my mental cage, allowing me to become more comfortable in reaching out for help when I needed it.
What I admire most about Coach Chisholm was her ability to treat me as her only student even though she had hundreds. While walking in the hallway she would always wave and stop to talk to me if she had the time. She knew me as if she was my own mother, understanding all my mannerisms, likes and dislikes. I felt like one in a million talking to her, and I always felt better after I did. The same love she showed me, I try to implement this same quality when I’m working with children myself. Whether that be the younger students in karate or the campers at summer camp, I want each child that I interact with to feel like one in a million. I also admire her incredible ability to maintain a joyful disposition no matter what. I can never remember a time where I saw her upset or angry. She always had a huge smile on her face and it was obvious that she clearly loved her job.
`The impact of Coach Chisholm on my life has been so profound that I remember the exact things she did for me from four years ago. She not only freed me from my mental cage, but also allowed me to be more comfortable in reaching out for help when I needed it. She built the foundations for me to be able to talk about my feelings instead of having them bottled up inside. Without Coach Chisholm, I don’t know how I would have made it through middle school. Every student deserves to have a teacher like Coach Chisholm during their educational journey.