A therapeutic teacher by Loretta

A therapeutic teacher by Loretta - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, being influential is the act of executing or possessing the power of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways. Spending approximately sixteen years of my life in school, I have encountered numerous teachers—emphasis on numerous—but one teacher will forever stand out above all. There was always this unequivocal difference between my favorite teacher and the other teachers. It wasn't just because she was the shortest and the only one from Perpignan. The biggest thing that stood out to me was that, while the other teachers succumbed to the stressful and overwhelming nature of their job, Mrs. Walters never wavered. Even if she did, she never showed it and always went out of her way to help us and make us feel like we matter.
I remember the first time I met Mrs. Walters. It was mid-semester; my first day at Sheyenne. My classmates were in their usual friend groups and I, the new kid, was sweating nervously in the backseat. I felt a light pat on my shoulder and turned just in time to catch an empathetic smile. Now where have I seen that before? I ask myself. I usually interrogate myself during tests and in unfamiliar situations. That gesture was a very unfamiliar one for me at the time. I was not used to people patting me or smiling at me. So, yes, there was an awkward pause before I smiled back. This was just one of the many acts of kindness Mrs. Walters exhibited. Although it may seem like a mere reflex at the sight of a nerdy-looking girl with anxiety issues, it was a big deal to me. It does not end there, however. Whenever Mrs. Walters got the slightest chance, she would always encourage us. She would tell us that it was okay to not be okay, to not have it all figured out and to sometimes be afraid. She would try to relate to us and understand our views with unbiased judgement, in French, of course.
She inspired me to be confident and believe in myself. If Mrs. Walters trusts that I am good enough, I thought, then maybe I am worth a try. I didn’t automatically become extroverted or outspoken, but I can strongly argue that Mrs. Walters played a significant role in who I am as a person today. I took her advice and learnt to share my opinions confidently. I participated more in class and made new friends as well. I even challenged myself by taking a public speaking class at the end of my high school year and I am proud to admit that I have overcome my glossophobia—well not fully. I never imagined I would have as much fun as I had in a speech class. My social growth and personality development is all thanks to Mrs. Walters. She is not just a French teacher, she is the best French teacher. Mrs. Walters is the most influential teacher I have ever had.