Teachers Can Change the World, One Student at a Time by Kelsey

Teachers Can Change the World, One Student at a Time by Kelsey - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

I have never been the type of kid to hate school or beg for summer vacation. When I was younger I actually used to beg my mom to take me to school on Saturdays. There was something about learning new things that just got my blood pumping and my heart racing.

However, once I got older that excitement went away. Suddenly my education was not about learning. It was only about passing tests and making the right grade. I continued to succeed in my classes, but I did not open my mind to new information like I once did.

That is until my calculus teacher completely changed my view. Math was always my favorite class. It was a subject that just came naturally to me and a class I was always excited for. I had had this teacher my freshman year and everyone was terrified of him. Being it my favorite class, I was not going to let someone scare me away from my favorite course. The year went well, I answered questions, completed my homework, and the rest of the tasks teachers tend to appreciate. Yet I still felt as though I was a robot in an assembly line. Now I know tests are important believe me, but I just felt as though there was more out there for us as students.

Senior year is when I decided to take calculus with the same teacher I had before. It just so happened that the man who made freshman tremble, actually made seniors into adults. Of course we followed regular curriculum, but along the way this man taught us so much more. Once again I felt that passion for education. Now that I was older I also realized no matter how much I wanted to learn, wanting school on Saturdays is crazy!

My calculus teacher eventually became more of a mentor. He made us all realize that education in public schools is structured, but that does not mean one should have a negative attitude towards learning. One can only teach someone so much, but then it is up to that person to go out and learn for themselves. He prepared us for our future.

I am glad I took calculus my senior year. Not only did it help me advance my overall math skills, but it helped me grow as a person. I owe it all to the teacher who re-opened my eyes as to why education is important and why I fell in love with learning all of those years ago.