There is no doubt that teachers are an incredibly influential part of every students life. While it is obvious that they are a critical part of students’ success school-wise, they also are often role models and good friends of some students. I wanted to take the time to write about two teachers in my life that have become huge influencers on my experience in school.
The first teacher that became a big part of my life was my third grade teacher, Mr.Heins. When I got to his class, he suggested I work on math that was a grade above our level, and because of him I continued to take advanced math classes and other advanced classes throughout my middle and high school career. To have a teacher that notices your strengths and weaknesses and helps you with them is an amazing feeling. It makes students believe that their teachers truly do care about them and want them to succeed.
As I went on with my schooling, my mom would update him on how I was doing and what things I was participating in. I realized in high school that his daughter was in my grade and went to my school. We became friends before I even realized he was her father. It was super cool going to homecoming pictures and seeing him there and talking to him about how I am doing. It is so nice to have a teacher continue to invest in their students and to know that he cares about what I do is great. Just last year, he came to see an orchestra concert that I was in! I think it is super important for teachers to make these types of connections with their students! Even if you don’t follow up quite as long, it is still really reassuring to know that your teachers believe in you and want to watch you succeed. I will always be grateful for Mr.Heins for this exact reason, and I hope we can continue to talk as the years go on!
Another teacher I wanted to highlight is a teacher that I had for six years! My orchestra teacher, Ms.Dahlin, is the most honest, fun-loving teacher I have ever had. She is very real with us students and she is the teacher that we all go to if we have a problem with friends or family.
My first year with her was in sixth grade, where everyone was incredibly impressionable and nervous for middle school. She instantly calmed our nerves when we came to her class and made it a fun environment where we could be ourselves and have fun for an hour every other day. As the years went on, we luckily got to have her be our high school orchestra teacher as well. She saw us all progress and get better, and she learned all about us and our good days and bad and how to help us. If I had to choose a teacher best friend, she would be it hands down. Not only can we be honest with her, but she is also honest with us. She tells us when she isn’t having the best day and she tells us about the funny things her kids do and say, and we all know her kids because they come to the orchestra concerts and hang out with us beforehand. Because she is so honest with us, it makes us feel more comfortable with her and we can really relate with her a lot more than other teachers. She is one of my favorite people, and I can’t wait to graduate so she can finally respond to my friend request on Facebook :).
