My entire life, I was bad at math, English, history, and science. Everyone kind of had one subject they really excelled at, but for me, I was kind of average at everything — till I met my 10th-grade English teacher. She taught me there wasn't just one way to write, and opened me up to the importance of bringing my own personality and unique cultural background to my writing.
She didn't just provide me the resources and tools to change my grades. She guided me to find purpose in my life and is the reason I studied Journalism and became an Editor.
My story is, of course and unsurprisingly, not unique. Most everyone has the one teacher you loved hanging out with at lunch in high school, or would visit at office hours whenever you were remotely near them on campus. You've asked them for countless references for every internship, job, or graduate school application, and a little gift of appreciation could be the thing to brighten their day.
