How Reading Changed My Life by Nakia

How Reading Changed My Life by Nakia - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was in kindergarten, I never liked to do much reading, but it was only because I did not know how. A teacher discovered my secret and changed my life in many ways I didn’t know would affect me until I was older.

Her name was Mrs. McGee and she was a special education teacher at the middle school in town, but I knew her as my aunt. She was astonished when she discovered I did not know how to read. I remember feeling ashamed and angry with myself. She took me to the library and started me off with very simple books and flash cards. Mrs. McGee would work with me every day, even when I did not want to or when I became frustrated because I could not pronounce a word. She never gave up on me and never let me give up on myself. Eventually, my grammar and comprehension began to improve and my interest in reading began to change. I began to enjoy reading. When my mother and I would go to the store, I would point to words and read them. If we passed by anything with words, I would read them aloud or in my mind. Mrs. McGee helped me to fall in love with education by teaching me how to read.

As I matured, reading became a hobby and it fueled in me the urge to learn more. Learning became my passion and a way I could build myself up through difficult times. I no longer just wanted to read for enjoyment, but as a way to reach my goals. I understood that education was a key to success. I always heard the quote, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste,” so I kept it in my heart. Education for me is not just a means to become successful, but it is a part of me that I constantly build on out of the passion I have for it. I see education as a platform that is useful by strengthening the mind and one’s character.

Mrs. McGee helped me to discover that my mind is a powerful muscle that works by learning either through a trade, task, or watching others. The mind constantly learns because it is innate for us as humans to do things. She taught me that my strength lies on the inside of me and how I think. The way in which I think, dictates how I view my world and the goals I wish to attain. As long as I think positively, despite the adversity against me, I can accomplish anything. Education has afforded me this luxury to where I feel this way. Learning makes you think differently about life; it changes your outlook to develop great character. One’s character is defined by how he thinks and acts. If you think of yourself as an achiever, then it becomes much easier to achieve. You find yourself creating goals and attaining them by constantly pushing forward and never giving up. Education gives me life; it builds me up and directs me to a better future. It has never led me astray, but always kept me grounded. Mrs. McGee did a phenomenal job just by teaching me to read. She changed my life as a kindergarten student. By that one task, she helped me to leap over mountains and discover that education is fun to those who give it a chance to change their life.