Becoming an Exponent by Samuel

Becoming an Exponent by Samuel - March 2023 Scholarship Essay

As I stood at the front of the classroom, my heart was racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. At just thirteen years old, I knew that this moment would be one that I would never forget. I was armed with a whiteboard and a deep understanding of math, ready to brace the war of being a teacher and leader. The smell of expo markers filled the air as I began to speak, and the reassuring presence of my teacher's guidance helped to calm my nerves. "Let's start with the basics," I said, launching into a lesson on exponents that I had carefully prepared the day before. As I taught, I knew that I was meant to be an exponent – an educator who was passionate about their subject and dedicated to helping their students understand it.

It was just a few months earlier that my Algebra teacher had sparked this idea with three ominous words: "One minute left." As I sat at my desk, I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. The source of my fears was a simple four-question Algebra test, but to me, it felt like the end of the world. When I received my test back, I was devastated to see that I had made many mistakes, marring my otherwise pristine academic record. I was so focused on my fear of failure that I didn't even realize that I had received an A on the test.

In desperation, I sent a lengthy email to my teacher as a last resort to make up the lost points. But it was in that moment, crying on the grimy front steps of my home, that I received an email from my teacher containing words of encouragement and understanding. He assured me that I had done a great job and emphasized that it was not because I had "earned an A," but because I had prepared to "do my best."

But what was my "best?"

Over the next few months, I made it my mission to reach this threshold of "best." My email conversations with my Algebra teacher became longer and more in-depth as we covered entire chapters and units, from discussing theories on projectile motion to proving the origins of the quadratic formula. When my teacher left his post due to district strikes, he entrusted me with an even more daunting task – leading my Algebra class. Rather than a test on Algebra, it was now a test on my ability to put my "best" foot forward.

He had seen something in me that reminded him of his own passion for teaching, and so I began to explore different learning styles and ways to connect with my students. I felt like I was carrying the baton of the teacher spirit, and when I was later hired to tutor on Schoolhouse.world, I found I could pass it on by helping others discover their own "best" and tap into potential they never knew they had. From helping students pass Algebra regent exams to offering academic enrichment advice, I have been fortunate enough to work with amazing students and families across seven different countries, and have received over 100 positive ratings.

I have now conquered the palisades of Calculus and have continued to explore leadership, transitioning from a temporary instructor for a math class of 30 to becoming the current president of my class of 167.

Today, I remain an exponent – for others. Through this lens, I am able to share the value of my intellectual curiosity, dedication, and reliability. I know that this journey won't be easy, as success is never linear. Instead, it is more like an exponent – it starts slowly and grows rapidly over time. The threshold for my "best" is still unknown, but now that I have learned about limits in Calculus, I am better equipped to estimate my potential.

Through all of the tests and setbacks, I've learned that, like Algebra, success is variable. But as my teacher taught me, great work comes from doing your best. And I've learned that great value comes from making a difference rather than making a dollar – to not just pass through the school but to also let the school pass through you, and that, in its simplicity, is where I find myself at my best.