A Helping Hand by Taylor

A Helping Hand by Taylor - July 2014 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my educational career I have had multiple teachers, only a few impacting my life, and only one who truly changed my attitude towards education. I have become close with many teachers and had good connections with them, but with this one teacher I had more than an educational connection, we also had a great connection on a personal level. Mrs. Eiserman, one of my high school English teachers, affected my education in the most positive way possible because she was personable and did what every teacher should do.

Going into freshman year of high school I was not on the right track socially or educationally. I had a lack of orientation and drive. I did not really care about getting homework done, or doing well in school at all. I was constantly getting into trouble until the second semester of freshman year when Mrs. Eiserman became my English teacher and really turned me around. She noticed that I was not taking school seriously, advised me in the right direction, provided me with extra help, and cared enough to listen.

Up to this point in my educational career I never had a teacher who truly cared about my succession or my future, but Mrs. Eiserman was different. She cared enough not just when I needed assistance, but also enough to just notice that I was not stable educationally. I knew that if I needed help whether it were personally or educationally that I could go to her and she would be there to listen and advise me. She was always willing to give me that little bit of extra help that not many people cared to do because of my reputation. I would go into her classroom daily during study hall because that is where I felt most comfortable. As my high school years went on, I never lost connection with Mrs. Eiserman. In fact, sophomore through senior year I would still go to her classroom during my study halls or stop by during passing periods just to catch up.

After finishing freshman year with all C’s, I had decided to take Mrs. Eiserman’s advise and turn myself around to make myself proud of my educational performance. I wound up finishing my high school career with a 4.00 grade point average for my final semester. During my freshman year I never thought that college would be in my future, but now I have completed my first year with a 3.25 grade point average. With many more years of education to come, I plan to continue bettering myself while remembering everything that Mrs. Eiserman had done for me to get me where I am today.

Having a teacher that cares about a student enough to completely turn their attitude around regarding their education is rare, but thankfully I had found one who noticed my struggle and was willing to assist me. Up to this point in my education, I thank Mrs. Eiserman for showing me that I am capable of more than I had ever expected, for advising me throughout my high school career, and for just showing me that she truly cared for me and my future like every teacher should.