My Influential Teacher by Lauren

My Influential Teacher by Lauren - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

There have been many influential teachers in my years of education from elementary school to my college years. However, the teacher that has affected me the most was my 6th grade African-American, female teacher. I will always remember how she impacted the lives of all her students. My elementary school was in Kansas and it is no longer there at this time. There is a rumor that it may become a church. I am really not certain what they will do with the space.

I attended that school from 1st grade through 6th grade and I remember a lot of those years. I was on safety patrol, the honor roll and in choir. It was a great school and I will always cherish the memories that I made there. I formed relationships with classmates and teachers through my years there. My mother was actively involved in the PTA and she always insisted on us doing well in school academically and staying active with sports and extracurricular activities. This helped my brother, sister, and I become well- rounded individuals.

We stayed in this school district for elementary, middle school and graduated high school. We have all completed college degrees from Universities such as the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Johnson County Community College and The University of Missouri Kansas City. My sister and I attended KU where I am graduating with my Business degree and concentration in Spanish in May 2015. I have my associate’s degree from JCCC, a local community college. My brother graduated from K-State. As you can see, we have all accomplished great things due to being raised in such a well-rounded environment. We were always in school and had a roof over our heads. We bonded as a family in many ways that no one can ever replace.

Sports and staying active with volunteering and building these friendships helped shape my family and I know it does build values and morals. When I have children, I will raise them the same way. It worked for my family and I know these examples will benefit future generations such as my nephew and new nephew due this month. Our children need guidance and direction because things are not getting any easier politically, socially, or economically. I was born in the 1980's and even in my thirties I know there is constant change in anything from social media to gas prices. I didn't know how to use a computer until I was a teenager. In our society today, children as young as 2 are learning how to use cellular phones and computers. I know this because my nephew is learning this each day. It is fascinating how technology changes and we grow with it.

My 6th grade teacher taught me so much about myself and other races and religions. I didn't know too much about African-Americans since I am Caucasian. I was never raised to be prejudice; I was just young and naive as most children can be. This teacher used her education and background to tell stories she learned about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and even our country's Constitution. We learned about historical figures both past and present day. We completed book reports and projects about these leaders. Understanding leadership skills and determination has helped me with employment such as interviews and both personal and interpersonal communication. I realized through presentations in elementary school through high school gave me practice for the real world where communication is necessary. Whether it is sign language, a foreign language or even writing, we depend on these forms to express what we need or want.

I will never forget an essay that my 6th grade teacher had us compose. It was entitled "An Open Mind." I had no clue what that meant. I soon learned that it had to do with listening and learning from other perspectives and opinions about culture, religion or even race. You shouldn't judge someone because you do not know what they have been through or are going through at that exact time. There are inevitable and tragic things that happen to people every day such as death, illnesses, or financial struggles. This essay made me realize that I should never judge an individual or entire culture based on inaccurate information. I research a lot of things now because I don't ever want to assume something. In high school, I learned that "assuming" can be detrimental and can offend others.

This inspirational teacher of mine taught me and several others throughout her years of teaching values and integrity as individual students and I will always remember how she impacted my life. She is a strong, influential African-American woman and I respect her and her teaching methods. I learned a lot from her and will always care and know that she taught from her heart and incorporated her life experiences with her past education. I respect her and always will because she not only visited me when I graduated high school in 1998 at a graduation celebration but I still speak with her through social media. It is teachers like her that we need more of in our society. I want to thank her every day. This is an exceptional career path for young adults and I hope to continue to pass on what she has taught me.