Educators Rising student leaders share stories of the teachers who made a difference for them when they were in middle school.
She created a sanctuary
Torrey McClain
Middle school was extremely hard for me. I had many teachers extend a helping hand in my direction, but the one teacher who truly helped me the most was Mrs. Schultz. Mrs. Schultz was my 6th-grade social studies teacher. However, even after I left her class, she continued to have my back. She understood that I was struggling and always opened up her classroom to me. She created a sort of sanctuary for me in a crazy middle school environment. I truly cannot thank her enough! She is a main reason why I made it through middle school!
Torrey McClain
12th grade
Palmer High School
Palmer, Alaska
She gave me a push
Katelen BreAnn Bennett
Over the years, many teachers have helped me. However, the most helpful thing Mrs. Ali did that helped was pushing me out of my comfort zone to do things I wanted to do but was too scared to try. After that push, I was able to accomplish so much, and I have gained so much confidence. I am so grateful for Mrs. Ali.
Katelen BreAnn Bennett
11th grade
Converse High School
Converse, Louisiana
They gave me a vision
Mary Kathryn Gebhart
Living in a school district where all students work and are educated together, I was fortunate enough to go to Middle School East, where I learned about special education. Mrs. Waits and Mrs. McKee, teachers from Gahanna Middle School East, gave me insight into what it takes to become a special ed teacher. I learned it takes hard work and patience. Wanting to further my understanding, I decided to pursue the field of intervention specialist. They are a big portion of my why when it comes to education.
Mary Kathryn Gebhart
Freshman
Capital University
Columbus, Ohio
She showed me a path
Keiren Minter
Middle school was a very hard period of my life. I was not motivated. My peers wanted to become doctors, lawyers, technicians, etc., but I had no idea what profession I wanted to pursue. That all changed when I stepped foot in Mrs. Reed’s class.
Mrs. Reed was my former 1st-grade teacher. I was assigned to job shadow her when I was in the 8th grade. Ms. Reed changed my whole perspective on life. She made sure that she always approached everything with positivity. The way that she taught made me want to become that inspiring teacher for my future students. I hope that I can one day sit in a room full of students and follow Mrs. Reed’s footsteps.
Keiren Minter
12th grade
Watson Chapel High School
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
This article appears in the October 2022 issue of Kappan, Vol. 104, No. 2, p. 68.
