English Teacher Turned Inspiration by Miriam

English Teacher Turned Inspiration by Miriam - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

Already terrified to begin high school, I was a terrified freshman, worried about the workload and amount of hard classes I would be taking. Despite my love for reading and writing, I soon learned that my Pre-AP English teacher would be the hardest grader I would ever have. But, if anything she made me a better writer for it. Although she was known for her harsh grading and intense commentary on our writing, she was also known for her kind soul and warm smile. She would invite us to have lunch with her, frequently talk about herself and our interests outside of the classroom, and always welcome us as if every day was the first day she saw us.
Being a part of my school’s first newspaper, I took the first opportunity I could to interview her for a feature story about well-liked teachers at school. What I learned made me admire her even more. I had found out she received full scholarships to attend Berkely and finished her master’s degree at UCLA, all while being a single mom.
Even after I finished my freshman year of high school, I still visited her classroom almost every day. She helped me with volunteer projects, assisted me with essays, and never once turned away from me when I asked her for help. Even now, as a graduate of my high school, I still keep in contact with her. Never will I forget her kindness and her helpful assistance during my high school career.