The Great Teacher Inspires by Sindhura

The Great Teacher Inspires by Sindhura - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

The inspirational and highly quoted American author William Arthur Ward once said, “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires” (Quotes About Teaching, www.nea.org). Teachers have the ability to make a profound impact on their students. Whether it may be by providing a shoulder of support during tough times at home or instilling a lifelong love towards a subject, truly remarkable teachers guide their students through the most crucial years of their lives in every aspect. I was lucky enough to have a teacher like this: my sixth grade teacher from Crossroads North Middle School, Mrs. Doyle.

I owe the success in my academics to Mrs. Doyle. If she was not there for me as a mentor, I would not have been eligible to take any of the challenging and rigorous courses I took in my later years of primary education. In middle school, math classes are divided into levels of difficulty, and Transitions Math is the most advanced class. I was in one of the lower level math classes with Mrs. Doyle as my teacher. The syllabus was not challenging enough for me, and Mrs. Doyle noticed. After speaking to my father, who told her that I didn't take the Math placement exam in fifth grade because I went to India, Mrs. Doyle spoke to the math supervisor and recommended me for Transitions Math. The following week, I was placed in the class and from then on, I have been taking and successfully accomplishing higher level courses. As a mentor, Mrs. Doyle encouraged me and supported me. If it was not for her, I would have been able to discover my passion for subjects in the STEM fields.

Mrs. Doyle not only positively affected my attitude towards academics but was also there for me during personal troubles. She is a remarkable person inside and outside the classroom and truly cares about her students and their happiness. If they are having any personal problems, she will physically be there to offer a shoulder to cry on, and I know this from experience. Middle school was the biggest emotional roller-coaster I've been on, and seventh and eighth grade were especially brutal. There was a boy who harassed me daily and made me hate myself, and my geometry teacher detested me and showed no mercy. Every day felt like torture. I decided to talk to Mrs. Doyle about my problems and the moment I entered her classroom, I started bawling. She hugged me tightly while tears streamed down my face and splotched her nice clothes. Even during my lowest points, Mrs. Doyle was always there and I am very fortunate to have had her as a teacher.

Mrs. Doyle is more than just an exciting and fun teacher: she is honestly one of the most important people in my life. She always believed in me; even when I didn't believe in myself. Her bright and sunny personality always elicited smiles and laughter from everyone in the class, and her enthusiasm for life was contagious. I’m truly grateful for everything she has done for me.