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We all can think of the teachers who impacted our lives. The ones who cared for us and pushed us to do more than we thought we could. The teachers who wanted us to learn more than information from a text book. The ones who believed in us when we thought we were inadequate. One of the reasons I am here writing for the Odyssey is because I had a teacher who said I had the potential to be a great writer. At the time I thought she was crazy. You know who I am talking about, the teachers who were always rooting us on. They used constructive criticism to build us up instead of tearing us a part. The ones who listened to what we had to say.

The following are eighteen lessons that every great teacher ingrains in their students.

1. School isn’t about the grade, it is about learning. It isn’t about a test score or common core. The most important thing is that you are growing as a person and becoming a lifelong scholar.
2. Learning isn’t about memorizing facts,it's about taking lessons and applying them to your life. A lesson can be found in every situation and conversation.
3. You don’t have to have life figured out. It's okay to tell people you don’t know. You aren’t required to have all the answers.
4. Do what you love. Don’t let someone else tell you what your career should be or where you should go to school. Decide for yourself, but make sure it is what you know in your heart is the thing for you.
5. Don’t be afraid to step out on a limb because you might end up flying.
6. When you fail, get back up againand learn something from it. Don’t let a failure stop you from trying new things.
7. A challenge can be exciting and causes your mind to grow in ways you never imagined.
8. It is important to love yourself and see your own value. Be confident in your own skin.
9. Stand up for the person that can’t rise up for themselves. Be ready to fight for others, especially the outcasts. Be ready to do the right thing even if it is hard to do.
10. Speak your mind but still respect the beliefs of others. Come into a conversation or debate with an open mind. Also, it's important to know the facts before talking about a subject.
11. There are two types of books. The ones you don’t have to use brain power for and books that take a large amount of mental thinking. Both are equally rewarding.
12. Live life to the fullest. Make a difference. Fulfill a bucket list. Don’t let life go by while you sit idle.
13. You can change the world. The world you may change might be the life of another.
14. There is a quote or extremely large word for everything.
15. Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
16. The most important thing you can do is love others. See each person as a human being and respect them. You can disagree with a person on major issues but still love them because they are human just like you.
17. Everyone has their own talents and will excel at something. Find your passion and pursue it.
18. Serve others from the heart, not for self-gratification.

Thank you to all of the "Mr. Feeny"s out there who helped us discover the lessons that matter.