High school. For some, it may be the best four years of their lives while others know that their futures hold many better times than these. However, what one cannot deny is the bond created between students and teachers during the what may seem like the most awkward or worst time of a student's life.

While meeting with my guidance counselor about which classes to take sophomore year, I nervously signed up for a math class with the most infamous teacher known to my high school. With mantras such as "there is no time" and "get to work," students struggled to spend the least amount of time in his classroom, often idling outside of his classroom and walking into class as the bell rung.

While I was not one to take part in what became a ritual of wasting those precious minutes outside of his classroom, I did try my best to not be seen, sneaking in and out of his classroom and never uttering a word during those dreaded 50 minutes.

What I was not aware of during my sophomore year was that I would continue to be in his class until I graduated. Eventually, my fear of this man completely disappeared because I had realized that this teacher was just as human as anyone else one would encounter.

He felt that sting of pain that came from disrespect. He felt that rare joy of witnessing a student come to understand a homework problem. And he most certainly felt the pleasure of a student truly appreciating the time and effort he has put in every day for 50 minutes trying to instill values that would truly develop us into becoming competent adults.

Because of spending two hours extra each week with this teacher that soon became my most preferred teacher of the school, I learned so many valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The most important lesson of all being was saying, "Yes." Whether it be to getting back up again after many others have remained defeated, wounded by life, or to continue on the journey that God has crafted so perfectly for one or to preserving your morals with honor and resolve.

All of these precious lessons were learned through a teacher who gallantly, genuinely, and generously took the time to understand me and to care for me without looking for some sort of payment in return.

Above all, I have come to notice that each of the teachers that have been a part of our learning career have been there for all of their students one way or another, occasionally even more so than parents. These teachers are each a blessing in their own unique way and without them, the youth would not be as far as they are today.