There is always one teacher in a child's life that leaves a lifelong impression on a student. When I was nine years old I switched in the middle of the year from a Montessori school to a private school. I was terribly frightened about entering a new school. As a child there are countless things to be concerned about. Such concerns include questions like, will I be as smart as the other kids, will they like me, will I like them, and most importantly will my teacher be nice? As a student going into the third grade all I wanted was a teacher who is nice, not necessarily challenging or academically stimulating, but just nice. The first day of class I walked in the room and was greeted by "Ms. Nice" herself.
My third grade teacher's name was not Ms. Nice, but as far as I was concerned it should have been. Her name was Ms. Scholfield. The moment I entered her classroom all the fear, questions, and anxiety simply disappeared. The multiplication problems on the blackboard or the homework assignments didn't even faze me. Perhaps it was the manner in which she took my hand and guided me to my seat, or maybe it was the way she had each and every student introduce him or her self so that I would not feel out of place. I felt truly accepted. I now eagerly awaited the year that was ahead of me. The first day of third grade had been a success and one that I will never forget. I can remember going home that day and telling my mother that I wanted to grow up and be just like Ms. Schofield. It takes an extraordinary person to be able to touch the life of a child in a positive way. After third grade was when I decided that I wasn't going to be a doctor or a veterinarian, but I wanted to be a teacher.
When a teacher reaches for your hand and ends up touching your heart that is when you can say they influenced your life. Ms. Schofield held my hand that first day of class and guided me to my seat. At the end of the year she let go of my hand, but had touched my heart in such a way that it made a profound difference in my life. She eventually had to let go of my hand so that I could continue to grow, but to this day my heart still keeps her near. Looking back on elementary school, I think that third grade was without a doubt the best year of my life. A child needs to feel safe and secure before they let down their guards. If a child doesn't feel comfortable enough in a classroom let down their defenses, they will never be able to gain any knowledge. I want to be the teacher that touches a student's life, allows them let down their guard and gives them the knowledge and guidance they deserve. Today I still tell my mother that I want to become a teacher like Ms. Schofield.
-- Sasha Morello, Florida Atlantic University