My third grade teacher, Mrs. Brown is a role model in my life. I will never forget Mrs. Brown, and all of the lessons that she taught me. Even though I was very young, I knew she would always be a very special person in my life. Till this day I still go to my old elementary school to visit her. During that school year I was going through some rough times and I was close to being held back a grade, she took the extra time to help me on a personal level.
Mrs. Brown took me aside one day and asked me what was wrong, she said that she had spoken with my mother earlier that day. She had found out that my grandfather was in the hospital because he had recently suffered from a heart attack, and my family circumstances were affecting me at school.
She worked with me after school everyday, to help me to catch up and by the end of that year I had boosted my grade from a low D to a high B. Every school year after that I always remembered that with will and perseverance I could accomplish anything. I continue to visit Mrs. Brown year after year, I help with special events in her class and she is also part of the reason I want to become a teacher. I know that when I have my own class I want to be able to have a that same kind of effect on my students, I want them to know that I will go the extra distance for them, just as Mrs. Brown did for me.
-- Gina Mager, Florida Atlantic University