The big gestures people do for one another to show they care are very important, but the smaller things they do matter even more. It seems a little strange when you first think about it because, well, how can something so grand be less meaningful than something minuscule? In reality, it's because the smaller things are often done without people even trying. They just do the simple things they do because they are good-natured.

I was not expecting one of those people to be my English teacher from high school. Even truer, I was not expecting him to change my life in such a drastic way because of something so small.

My mom and dad have always been those parents that had to attend parent-teacher conferences at school. If you think I'm kidding, there was one time my mom even felt bad because she had forgotten to sign up for them. I, on the other hand, didn't really care because I had heard the same thing year after year, "Your daughter is very bright but she should really participate more in class." While I didn't necessarily agree with this because I was shy and didn't see the need to constantly raise my hand in class when I would receive an A anyway, I understood teachers only say the things they do to help their students reach their full potential.

So when my parents went to the first parent-teacher conference of my freshman year in high school, I was not expecting them to have the experience they did with my English teacher.

I sat at the kitchen table doing my homework, as usual, that night when my dog started barking because he had heard the car engine roar from our Jeep and seen headlights shining through the window. He knew exactly what that meant: my parents were home.

"You will never believe what your teacher said about you," my mom said as she walked through the door.

I thought she was just being modest, but then she continued to tell me how the meeting had gone.

My English teacher had rushed to grade a paper I had turned in that day, just so he could tell my parents he thought I was an excellent writer. He then told them that I should really consider joining the school newspaper because he thought I would be able to contribute a lot of great stories to it.

"Why would I ever want to be a reporter?" I told my mom.

Little did I realize at the time just how much that statement would be something I'd regret saying later on.

Nothing about the job description attracted me in the slightest. I never wanted to deal with walking up to random strangers and interviewing them, constantly having to meet tight deadlines and spend hours writing a story for a publication. Then one day, I decided I wanted to become more involved in school and gave the paper a shot, thinking back to what my teacher had said. After the first interview, there was no turning back. I could only see myself walking up to random strangers and interviewing them, constantly having to meet tight deadlines and spend hours upon hours writing a story for a publication -- I found my calling. And the reason for it? My English teacher.

It may not seem like much, but having someone believe in me the way that my teacher did was something I had never been used to. Of course, my parents and friends always believed in me, but when someone outside of your circle tells you something like that, it resonates so much more.

So, I just want to say "thank you" to my English teacher.

Thank you for speaking up and recognizing something in me. It was so simple but I can't even begin to tell you what my journey has been like because of one thing you said to my parents. For all I know, you could have told it to some other students' parents too. What matters is that you said something to mine. You believed in me and I, in turn, have believed in myself and recognized one of my biggest strengths -- something that's not easy for people to always do. It has made me realize a dream of mine and has greatly influenced many decisions I've made.

You've shown me just how much teachers can affect their students' lives. I can only imagine how many other people have had teachers influence their decisions and change their lives because of it, but I'm just grateful you were randomly assigned to be my teacher so you could impact my life too.