History Changed My Life by Lauren

History Changed My Life by Lauren - September 2013 Scholarship Essay

Junior year was a daunting time for me. It was the first year that I was taking more than one AP class, and to top it off, for AP US History (also known as APUSH), I got the most difficult teacher. I had heard plenty of stories about him: he gave lenghtier out of class readings, expected more from his students, and pushed you to your limit. I was wary, especially when we were given homework straight away. How was I going to manage this workload? But I caught on quickly, impressing the teacher tremendously. This set off a cycle: I would do well, he would push harder. At first, this infuriated me; why could he not just let me be, and focus on the students who needed help? Later on, though, I recognized the service he did me: I refused to settle for anything less than my best work, thanks to his instruction and expectations of me, not only in that class, but in my schoolwork as a whole and all other facets of my life. As second semester rolled around and I began to pick my schedule for my senior year, I approached Mr. Sabathne (or Sabs, as nearly everyone called him) and asked if I could be his student assistant for the following year. He said yes nearly before I finished my question, clearly enthusiastic about the idea. I simply smiled, thanked him and handed him the paperwork, waiting until I left the classroom to reflect on all he had done for me. He truly changed my perspective and helped me get to where I am today.Senior year was somewhat of a relief for me: I still had a rigorous schedule, but once I finished my college applications, there was a profound sense that I could begin to move on and focus on life beyond high school. Being Sabs student assistant helped me in both of these areas. He wrote me a recommendation letter that made me cry, and gave me whatever extra study time I needed if I was stressed. I think that the reason I'm writing about him as my "most inspirational academic role model", though, has more to do with his passion for the subject he taught. I did not really come to appreciate that about him until I was simply observing him teaching another class rather than being one of his student. Once I was no longer a student, but was hearing many of his lectures for the second time, I recognized the little things that he did to make things interesting for his students. He went above and beyond in preparing his lectures and handouts, ensuring that every student had an equal chance at success and possibility of being interested. He took feedback and gave advice, putting effort into each individual student that some teachers would not put into an entire career. His Master's thesis - which he shared only after much finagling and teasing on my part - was wonderful, and he earned the position of head of the social studies department when the previous head decided it was time to retire. Although he was not one for the politics involved, he took the job and performed it with an ease and grace that perfectly encapsulates why I admire him so much and aspire to be like him someday.