I attended R.T. Hudson Elementary school in the Bronx, New York. I was 11 years old when I met Mrs. Veronica Armstrong, she was my 6th grade teacher. She was different from all the other teachers I had up until that year. Mrs. Armstrong took the time to get to know her students. She had an enthusiasm about her that made you (the student) just want to sit up and give her your undivided attention. She not only taught us, but got down on our level to understand and relate to us, to see what we may be experiencing and if needed give us support, guidance or just someone to talk to. Mrs. Armstrong took the time to listen to us, even though we were just 11 year old kids, she took what we thought were "major" issues seriously. What I admired most about her was that she did all of this without compromising her ground with us. She never lost control over us or our respect, the boundaries had already been set, she was the adult first, then our teacher and what she said was law in her classroom but in conjunction with this, if we wanted her to be out friend, she would be that as well.
I mentioned all of the above because now what I’m about to write will make some sense to you. I was a good student, received good grades but most of the time (until I got to Mrs. Armstrong's class) I usually found myself in some sort of trouble due to mischief. I would get bored in class and not stay focused. I used to do silly things to seek attention and approval from my piers, teachers or just about anyone who was around. Well, Mrs. Armstrong noticed this and made the effort to understand "why" I was doing the things that I did. Anyway, she spoke to me and listened to what I had to say, about how I was feeling. Then she told me some things that have stayed with me to this day. She told me to first keep focused on GOD and then to be happy with "me" and who I was because he (GOD) didn't make any mistakes, then she said to make sure I do my best in whatever I do and to take pride in my work and above all else respect myself because if I don't no one else will either.
"Forward ever…backward never". As simple as these things were, I never forgot them and I carry them with me to this day. As simple as they were, GOD, pride and respect for myself and others, these things have helped to mold my character, who I am today (of course my mom had a lot to do with that as well) and for that I will always have a special place in my heart for Mrs. Armstrong.
Many years have passed since I was that 11 year old in Mrs. Armstrong's 6th grade class but I will always remember her for her kindness and unique loving persona and for the respect that she gave to that 11 year old so many years ago.
-- Valerie Acevedo, Florida Atlantic University