The (other) Great Teacher- Eugenia Kelch by Ruslyn

The (other) Great Teacher- Eugenia Kelch by Ruslyn - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

There are some people you come across in life whose spirit just settles well in your heart. Most times it is someone older, whom you see yourself in; someone you begin to aspire to be like. They possess such a welcoming charisma that many cling to- somewhat like the one many Christians refer to as the great teacher, Jesus Christ.

She is Ms. Kelch. The very first classroom I entered in high school was her World History and Geography classs. I always had an interest in World History and Geography, and with her it was amplified. A class that is taught over a two-year period at other high schools was taught in one by her, and in a classroom size about 40 students large, she managed to get it done while still in school working on her second Master’s Degree in Administration. She was an Educator and a Student who was able to understand and encourage myself and my classmates, to do great things. Learning about the Great Pyramids, Mesopotamia, the French Revolution, and the Bubonic Plague were some of the most fun times. History in general is a fun subject but it definitely helped having someone I admire educating me and using creative methods to do so. I wanted to make her proud when I took my regents exam at the end of the school year. I did, scoring 92% on the exam.

The discipline I learned in her class was very helpful in my other classes, both during high school and now in college. Through her, I learned how to stay focused and that asking questions is the smartest thing any student can do. I began to step out of my comfort zone- a place that she taught me was stagnant and non-productive- and ask for one-on-one help, when needed. With her guidance and support, I learned to have faith in my work ethics and to invest wisely into my future. I also learned what it means to invest: to be dedicated, hardworking, resilient, disciplined, and able bodied- all of which she is.

I now have a positive appreciation for both my education and educators. She has influenced me to aspire to become a teacher, and to work in low income/ minority neighborhoods. I remember one day, talking about my plans for the future and my fear that I might be aiming too high and too broad. “You are bigger than your troubles and your fears,” she said. “Aspire big and just do it.”