I remember the first day of your class. You were angry about the end of summer vacation, yet it didn’t last long, as your excitement of having a new class to teach set in.
I remember walking in and being overly ecstatic about sitting at lab tables (because they’re so much better than normal desks) and thrilled about learning about biology instead of rocks and earth science (which is what is taught grades three through six).
You introduced yourself and began telling us what the rest of the school year had in store for us. Little did I know that you were going to be one of the key people who inspired me to go forward in science, and who has been one of my biggest cheerleaders since the day I entered your classroom on the first day of seventh grade.
When I was confused about a concept but was determined to understand it, you stayed after school, so many days that I can’t even count, and gave me extra worksheets and one-on-one teaching sessions until I got it down-pat. Once I got it down to the smallest detail, you made me the “go-to” person of the class, making me assist my classmates, which allowed me to flourish into a more confident person and I even attribute this to my leadership qualities today.
When I wanted to do a research project on Apert’s Syndrome, a genetic disorder that little is known upon, you had faith in me that I could complete the project and find as much information as I could. The day of my oral presentation, when I shocked you by talking about my interview with a good friend that was affected by the disorder, you were the loudest person clapping.
Your absolute fascination with science and enthusiasm for the subject inspired me, and your class quickly became my favorite one that year, and since then has never been knocked off of its pedestal. No class ever intrigued and made me happier to actually be at school.
The little catch phrases to remember which axis represented which variable, or just to get yourself pumped for what we were about to learn have stuck with me throughout high school, and have followed me into college (“Yay science!”).
You were my number one confidante when I was stressed and the first person I went to when I had good news to share. When I got into Honor’s Choir, and a year later, when I was given my first major oboe solo -- you were the first person I went to, and you were just as happy as I was and made yourself clear that you were proud of me. When I was accepted into my top choice school and I came to see you in that same classroom, five years later, I think you were just as excited as I was, nearly jumping up and down.
When I told you I wanted to become a veterinarian, you kept tabs on me, making sure I never gave up that dream. To this day, I still send you emails occasionally to update you on life and the science that I’m learning in school. You always remind me to never give up.
You made me fall in love with science, not just tolerate and enjoy the subject. Whenever I’m having a difficult time in school, or just not having the best of luck in my classes, I always remember you and how I want to make you proud, and it helps to motivate me to work that much harder.
In all honesty, I don’t know where I’d be without you. Sometimes I wish you were in Worcester with me, but every time I come back to Collegeville and visit the old Spartan team’s hallways, you greet me with a smile and a warm hug, and that's all I can really ask. And I know you’re still cheering me on from 250 miles away.
There are no words that can express how grateful I am that our paths crossed, and that I had the privilege of being your student. Thank you for being my inspiration, my motivation, my friend, and my cheerleader. You’ve truly changed my life, and I can’t wait to make you even prouder.
