MI by savannah

MI by savannah - April 2016 Scholarship Essay

Your teacher is not that scary. In fact, they're just as human as you are. They are there for one sole passion: to give you an education. They want nothing more than to see you blossom. They have fears, wishes, and lives of their own. These lives are the biggest teachers of all. If I had learned this before my senior year, I cannot imagine how much more I would've learned. Understand to appreciate them, and your time in school will be unconditionally rewarding.
Mrs. Janet Lavasseur didn't just teach me how to write an essay. She taught me how to see beauty in nature, how to appreciate the beauty of an animal, and how to care for people you hardly know. Mrs. Dill didn't just teach me about art's history, she taught me that every single person is fighting for something, and that each person is beautiful behind the face. Mr. Atwell taught me that life isn't always is, but tenacity is something that can get you through any obstacle---particularly when he and his wife were both diagnosed with cancer on separate occasions. Students see them as the people who grade their tests and recite facts. Yes, book knowledge is important. But beyond that these people can give you the kind of learning that betters a soul. They are passionate about you, and they want to watch you succeed. Know this, and use it to your advantage. Ask them questions, listen to their stories, and see past that false wall that keeps us from understanding just how human they are, too. Doing so will give you a wealth greater than any you could get with a high letter grade. Through a teacher, you have the unending support of someone who knows the system and who wants you to achieve the highest. Otherwise, you could walk right through never knowing that that fortune was standing right in front of you.
My advice to younger students to believe in the beauty of the wealth educators can provide. Give them a smile in the halls. Tell them happy birthday. Listen to the stories your friends call stupid, the jokes your boyfriend says are rusty. Nothing is a greater gift to them than to see you learn, and you must understand that through this you have an unwavering advocate through all trials of school. Use it, and don't take it for granted. You will gain something so far past high scores---an new found understanding of humanity, appreciation, and wisdom. Best of luck.