The other day, I received some tragic news. One of the most beloved substitute teachers at Merritt Island High School lost her battle with cancer. Ms. Lee was the most loved, and the most well-known substitute in the school. Known for calling everyone “twinkle toes", Ms. Lee would always have a smile on her face and would always fill the students’ minds and hearts with joy and hope.
She was dedicated to making every single student smile at least once and would always be prepared with wonderful stories to tell us. She was an inspiration to everyone, including some of the other professors. Anyone at Merritt Island High School could identify Ms. Lee from a mile away.
Ms. Lee is the one who told me to pursue and chase my dreams when I was unsure about what to do after high school. I would go to Ms. Lee whenever I had any sort of dilemma, and she would always say “Do whatever makes you happy. If you want to go into writing then do that, if you want to go into psychology go ahead. You need to do whatever makes you happy even if someone does not approve of it. When you have a career that you love, you never work a day in your life.” Her words still stick with me, especially when I am stuck on making a decision that could come with consequences. Ms. Lee was always there for the students and put them first, always finding new ways to make the students smile.
In all 13 years of public schooling, Ms. Lee was by far the best substitute teacher I have had, a claim that almost the entire Mustang community can agree with. She was the sun on a gloomy day. No matter how bad of a day students may have had, Ms. Lee could always make them smile and help them to forget about their troubles for 47 minutes.
Ms. Lee never lost any energy throughout her life. She would always be moving around, always on the go. Ms. Lee had the best memory. If I mentioned that I applied to a college or for a certain position, she would ask if I was accepted or got the position, even if it had been three or four months since I had last seen her.
Once the news was received of her passing, current and past student of Merritt Island High School have been posting photos and touching posts about Ms. Lee. She was a truly valuable member to the Merritt Island Mustang community both in and out of school. Ms. Lee will be missed by the entire Mustang community, past and present. Ms. Lee will be watching down on us from Heaven, calling us “twinkle toes”. But no matter what, Ms. Lee will always be loved by all in the Mustang community. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang.
R.I.P. Ms. Lee
