Life Lessons by Ryan

Life Lessons by Ryan - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

A teacher must not be someone who only teaches. They must be a mentor, a guidance counselor, a parent to some, and a friend to others. Good teachers know the value of taking the time with a student till they understand the subject. Good teachers also take the time to understand what may be plaguing a student’s attitude or vision. In this way, a teacher can be one of the most profound influences on a student’s life.

My junior year of high school, I had an English teacher which new all these things. She spent time with me in the subject I struggled most; writing essays was not exactly my “calling”. However every day after school she would be there to help me, teaching me how to carve a story or essay out of the most perfect words. Not only this, but when she knew I was down about something, she would offer advice or simply a listening ear. I was not the only one who received this gracious help from this teacher, as I saw she did this with every one of her students. She took the time out of her day to help high schoolers who were sometimes far less interested then she was.

These events inspired me to be more gracious in my own life, and taught me the important lesson of being compassionate in everything which you do. It taught me that with whatever I do in my life, I need to do it to the best of my ability because you never know who you will be able to inspire or help. In this way, a teacher is a profound part of a students life.