Teachers Do More Than Teach – They Inspire
Written by Kara Little
I was always in honors classes, the talented and gifted programs, you name it. Despite this, I went through numerous experiences with people telling me that I wasn’t smart enough, that I didn’t belong, that I wasn't meant to be in the spaces that I was in.
You know how if you hear something about yourself long enough you start to believe it?
It took a long time to realize that I had strengths, that I brought meaning to an intellectual conversation, that I was meant to be in every single space I was in. There were two teachers I had in particular who always reminded me of this and truly made an impact on me.
The first is my seventh-grade Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Wrightson. That was the first class I’ve ever had that actually made me feel like I was smart. Mrs. Wrightson was so funny to me and I actually enjoyed our class sessions. She was the first teacher that I can remember that told me I was going to be somebody great and do great things.
I remember she used to have this fun class activity called “whoopsies” where she would include grammar and spelling mistakes throughout our coursework and lessons. If someone in the class could find the mistake, she would give our class a point. When we were up to 50 points, that meant that our class won a pizza party or another prize.
Writing this now, I realize how fun Mrs. Wrightson made learning. I’m going to say I was her favorite student because she would recommend books for me to read (one that I still have in my room to this day). Thank you, Mrs. Wrightson, for being the first teacher to see greatness in me.
Another teacher that made a huge impact on my life is the lovely Mrs. Soderholm. She was my tenth-grade History teacher, who was actually a long-term substitute because our initial teacher was on maternity leave.
I didn’t know what to expect since I was already getting used to a certain type of class in a certain type of learning, but I absolutely loved Mrs. Soderholm. She made class so exciting: I actually remember being excited to go to her class most days just because I knew we would either have a good class discussion or I would just have a good class period in general. When I didn’t know who to ask to write my letter of recommendation for college applications, she was right there willing to help. Mrs. Soderholm told me then that if I ever needed a recommendation for anything, to ask her without hesitation. She truly made me feel like I was valued, which was a feeling I wasn’t used to in most of my classes. Thank you Mrs. Soderholm for continuing to support me.
Teachers are more than their lesson plans. They bring life into their lessons, they support all of their students in a different and unique way, catering to their learning styles. For some of us at some point, our teachers were all we had. I realized a lot of my teachers would provide for their students in any way possible – taking considerable time and effort or spending their own money out of pocket for class supplies – without hesitation.
Any teachers reading this now who may feel like they aren’t doing enough, that they’re not appreciated, not valued – you are. You might not hear it every day, you might not see it in the classroom every day, but you are.
Going through the K-12 school experience is truly a wild experience, while also being the most impressionable time of your life. You’re doing so much more than you know. No matter what grade you teach, the subject you focus on, you’re doing more than enough!
If it weren’t for Mrs. Wrightson, Mrs. Soderholm, and the countless other teachers and professors I’ve had throughout my academic career, I wouldn’t have realized that I actually am smart. I’ve always known I was intelligent, I just think my teachers steered me in the direction of how to demonstrate it.
Do you know a teacher? Give them some gifts, some coffee, or just a hug! They need our support!
Kara Little (she/her) is from Sayreville, New Jersey. Her hobbies include cooking, journaling, and watching reality TV. She hopes her words continue to inspire others.