I believe this because of my high school teacher. Growing up in a small town in Northern California, I dreamed of making it big in the world I knew. How was I going to get there though? What did "big" even mean? Regardless, I was on a mission!
I was blessed with the most wonderful group of friends, and a family that supported me dreaming. One of the friend's mom was the mother to us all, and we all called her "mom." She also was our high school English teacher. She wore so many hats and I am in awe of the greatness she created for us in the classroom and outside the classroom. She was loved by all students and challenged us daily with critical questions that I now can appreciate as an adult.
There were two parts to how mom influenced me. First was her relationship with me. She empowered my dreams and encouraged me to see goodness in life/challenges/books/people. She cared about me outside of being a student and fostered my learning as a young woman. I was inspired by her strength as a Peace Core member in Columbia, a mother and wife. Her daughters were extended sisters to me and I traveled with her family on many occasions. On these real life trips, I realized that learning is real and applicable to life. I cannot thank her enough for just being who she was because that allowed to see how I was going to make it "big" in this dynamic world. I needed to go into education.
Second was the relationship I saw between her and her students. She never gave up on a student and committed herself 110%. Mom was the best teacher. She met with one student at 7am for a year so that student could make up credits to graduate. I hope that commitment to others is in me as well.
She is the reason I went into teaching and so much of my platform is formed on her ideals and passion. I so badly wanted to be someone who was going to influence others like she did with me. Today, I see little faces looking at me as I did at her. I believe that students matter and my gift to them is education and empowerment to make it "big."