Throughout my educational career I have had many influential teachers who made an imprint in my life which will never leave me. A teacher’s job is to instruct the students in a classroom and cover the needed material. Ms. C was a health teacher which I had in high school. Health isn’t a known course in high school that can make or break a student’s high school academic career, but it does teach students important lessons.
When sophomore year comes around at Quince Orchard (HS) and it is time to take health everyone rushes to their guidance counselor trying to get into Ms. C’s class. She finds a way to make her class come alive and makes sure everyone feels comfortable in her class. Health topics can sometimes make students feel uncomfortable to talk about in front of their peers; this is because the subjects can be very real and personable. She tries to get everyone involved in the discussions but at the same time isn’t pushy. She assigns many projects and in class activities which are fun and educational, which makes the class always exciting.
Being the gymnastics coach, Ms. C was also a huge supporter of the Quince Orchard athletic teams. She often gave bonus points to students who would attend and support their fellow peers in their athletic events. Personally being an athlete I thought this was a great idea to get students to attend the matches. Promoting school spirit and involvement is a very positive idea which I believe more schools should have. Having pride in your school makes the whole learning experience that much better. Ms. C also tutored many students including myself. She never gives up on anyone and wants to see everyone succeed.
Ms. C again would go above and beyond then teacher the text and readings in class; she was a friend as well. Ms. C has touched my friends and I in a very unique way. In high school one of my best girl friends suffered with both anorexia and bulimia. Being a health teacher and such a good friend, my girlfriends and I felt comfortable talking to Ms. C about the situation. I think it takes a unique and special type of teacher to get this relationship with their students where they feel comfortable talking to them about difficult situations. She gave us ideas on how we could help out friend and support her efforts to getting better. She told us that our friend was going to be very mad at us for confronting her but that we were still doing the right thing. By telling us that we were doing the right thing and continuing to give us positive feedback it reassured us because our friend at the same time was expressing her anger towards us. I always thought Ms. C was a great teacher but after all the time and effort she put into helping my friend and me, I knew that she was someone who made and will continuing making great impacts on students lives.
Ms C. has taught me that being a good teacher is when one is able to present the needed information in a way where the whole class is able to grasp but; being a great teacher is going above and beyond and becoming a role model and being a part of the students lives outside of the classroom.
-- Kristen Collins, American University