The Non-Traditional Teacher in My Life by Rebecca

The Non-Traditional Teacher in My Life by Rebecca - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

I am one of the lucky ones who had “THE” educator enter my life in a non-traditional way. Michelle, the mother of my best friend in 8th grade, was a kindergarten teacher. My friend and I were inseparable as 13 year old girls often are. So that we could spend more time together, my friend and I would ride the school bus from the Junior High building to the elementary building after school and hang out in Michelle’s kindergarten room. From the moment I walked in and saw those 5 year old kids, I was hooked. Although the initial plan was to spend more time with my friend, I ended up spending time with the children and her mother. I would ask how I could help, if there were errands to run, or even if I could help clean her room. Michelle has always said, “Whatever you do when you grow up, you must work with children.” I was in total agreement and took it to heart.

During my Junior and Senior years of high school, I became an official student tutor for Michelle through the A+ Tutoring Program available in Missouri. It truly solidified my love of children, my love of teaching and what my major would be when I entered college. She was such a believer in my teaching career path and my efforts in her classroom that Michelle nominated me for and I received the Female A+ Student of the year my Senior year.

Although Michelle was never my direct teacher, she had a direct impact on the fact that I am now enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia double majoring in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education with a 4.0 GPA. I lost count of how many times I heard, “Whatever you do, you must work with children.” Thank you Michelle for the most important life lesson I could have received.