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When I reflect on the best teacher I had, I struggle to pick one as I feel I had really great teachers, many important at each time in my life that I encountered them. One that does stand out for me was my math teacher, Mr Terlisner. I struggled in math class and wasn't getting a good grade. He set up special time to work with me to ensure that I brought my grade up. He instilled the idea of helping when you don't have to as well as giving me the confidence to believe in myself in math. It wasn't cool to like math, but I genuinely grew to love it once I understood the process. I still think of Mr Terlisner fondly and so greatly appreciate the time he took, that he didn't have to, to help me succeed. It turned in to being much more than just a high school math grade.

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The best teacher I had was my child development teacher Mrs. Salemi. I was so excited to take this class and then I learned to love her. She made my love for children grow even stronger. I was also going through a lot of family difficulties and had to have a major surgery my senior year. She gave me the support that I needed but also helped me to take accountability for me. She showed me how to be an independent person and strive to be better. When I ran into her in the grocery store a few years after high school, I was so excited to share that I had a baby and was married. Now she found me on social media and consistently reminds me how much she helped me grow and a person.-Ayleen Bubak

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My best teacher ever was our band and choir teacher. He pushed us to always do better but was also very connected to us as students and cared about us. He gave us some independence, but we never pushed the boundaries because we respected him. Some of my best memories of school are around the band and what he taught us. The music we played still resonates with me and it always amazed me how he got us to all play so well. He was a great teacher, patient and steadfast, always calm under pressure.  --Lisa Crouch

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My high school chemistry teacher was amazing. She literally wrote two sets of notes every day on the board (yes chalk board) and taught two different ways so we ALL could understand. At the time, I thought she was teaching the "smart kids" and then me and two other students. I now realize how amazing it was she knew how different learners process and she was willing to spend the time adapting each lesson so we all found success. She was also the teacher who FINALLY taught me how to do Algebra! Three other "math" teachers were unsuccessful but she made it all make sense! --Corey Finley

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The best teacher I ever had was my high school english teacher. What made him so effective was his ability to create a supportive environment where each and every student felt safe, supported and valued. His ability to create a supportive classroom community allowed students to take risks, make mistakes but ultimately learn from them and continue to learn and grow in a positive manner. Another valuable trait he possessed was his ability to create positive relationships with his students not only in the classroom, but outside it as well. This showed my peers and I that he cared about us not only as students, but as young members within our community. Finally, he taught us a variety of life skills that were vital for all of us later in life. I truly enjoyed my time in this class and I know it made me a better student, but more importantly a better person in society. --Ian Murray

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Throughout my academic career I have had many inspiring teachers. All have been knowledgeable, understanding, and compassionate. The teacher that immediately came to mind when considering this question was my third grade teacher, Ms. Koser. She stands out from the crowd of teachers from my past as she made learning fun. She invited curiosity and helped us investigate to find answers. She involved everyone in class in a loving, compassionate way that made everyone feel comfortable taking risks. She was one of my role models and a teacher I aspired to be when I grew up; even then I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps. -Megan Brewbaker

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Three people came to mind when I thought of answering this question: Mrs. Beth Kiser, Mrs. Sherry Phillips, and Master Chief James D. Stout.  All three were instrumental in my life during times when I needed extra support.  They all shared a commonality of care, concern, and high expectations.  Their encouragement and acknowledgement of my potential was a guiding force in who I am today.
Lee Hughes

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The best teacher I ever had was my high school AVID teacher. She cared, and I knew she cared. I know many of my other teachers cared about me, but it was not evident like it was with her. She was energetic and fun and got her students excited to learn. She was compassionate and gave us space to explore what we thought we knew about the world (such as figuring out what monthly budget we would need to live independently) because we were naive teenagers. Her class made school a place I wanted to be. -Heather Doiel

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When I think about the best teacher I have ever had, my middle school homeroom teacher comes to mind. He was always so caring and understanding and I knew that if I ever needed help, he would be there for me and support me in any way possible. I still to this day keep in touch with him often. He taught so much more than just the curriculum and always strived for us to be the best version of ourselves. He taught it that it was okay to make mistakes and how to fix them if they were our fault. He made me feel so valued as an individual and not just another student in his class.

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The best teacher that I ever had was my fourth grade teacher. She would share stories with us about when she was a camp counselor and she sang songs for us with another fourth grade teacher as a part of their (made up) teacher band. She had a strong balance of caring and compassion while also trusting us with freedom and independence that I think we responded well to and craved as fourth graders. I loved going to school because she made learning so engaging and we were so active in our learning decisions. - Mary Dippold

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The best teacher that I ever had was my fourth grade teacher. She would share stories with us about when she was a camp counselor and she sang songs for us with another fourth grade teacher as a part of their (made up) teacher band. She had a strong balance of caring and compassion while also trusting us with freedom and independence that I think we responded well to and craved as fourth graders. I loved going to school because she made learning so engaging and we were so active in our learning decisions. - Mary Dippold

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The best teacher I ever had was my ninth- and tenth-grade English teacher. I remember being excited about the homework she assigned (even though she assigned a lot) because her tasks allowed for creative expressions. For example, as a task for a book we were assigned to read, she had us draw a map of the setting. As a student, I saw this as a creative endeavor. As an educator looking back, I see this as a creative task that encourages close reading. She fooled me into having fun doing work, and that made a difference in my experience as a student.