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My most influential teacher was Mr. Russell. I was not the "best" student or the "quiet" student that most teachers hoped for. I felt different and unseen, but in the 3rd grade Mr. Russell saw me and vocalized to me what he saw. He told me I was creative and a good writer. I had never seen myself that way...so you know what I did!? I wrote! I wrote poetry and short stories. I entered those items into contests and began winning. I kept a poetry journal through elementary and college. His 1 sentence gave me confidence and direction. He said I could write, and so I believed him... and I did.

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6th grade for me was the last year of elementary and it was full of all types of mean girl drama that I was not prepared for as a sister to 3 brothers. I found myself in a world I did not understand and really struggled emotionally. What I remember about Mr. Schoonover was that he was always there. He stopped time to talk with me and always had time for me. I remember his softg words and smile- but mostly I remember he would make one on one time for me and listen patiently as I tried to navigate through a very stressful pre-teen era.

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Oh, Mr. Wilson. He was my 8th grade Algebra teacher and I just never remember him having a bad day. He laughed a lot and talked about Wrazzling (his pronunciation) and used a dodecahendral die. He had a lot of novelty and was just a really fun personality. It felt safe in there and stress free.

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MR. HOFFICANS HE WAS SUCH A GOOD TEACHER BEACUSE OF HIM I LEANED A LOT OF THING THE THING HE WOULD TELL ME WOULD MAKE ME SMILE CUZ HE WOULD ENCOURAGE ME TO DO MY BEST HE BELIVED IN ME.

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Mrs Combs has a smile that lights up any room. She was my 5th grade teacher and I loved how she was patient and kind through any situation. I switched schools the next year and had a teacher who I didn't like and wished I could go back to her class so much. Ironically, she married the son of the teacher who I didn't feel cared for by and the year got much better after that. My parents shared the connection and while that helped, I think Mrs. Combs' influence on that MIL was for the positive and my whole class got to experience a better outcome.

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My Teacher was Mrs. Welch. She never gave up on me. she was my 2nd grade teacher. she pushed me to my fullest and told me how smart i was. It was something that i didn't hear very often. When other Teacher didn't want to deal with me she always volunteer to take me. Let me tell you i would so anything for her.

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She was a substitute teacher at my school and she always took the time to address you by name, ask how you and your family were doing and truly could tell she really cared. The school was always a happier place on the days she was subbing.

-Karen M

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Mr. Troutman was my most influential teacher, he taught English as well as coached the football team in High School. Coach Troutman was always so funny, and interactive. He made learning so much fun and interesting. Coach Troutman was very kind, and caring. He may have had an odd way of showing it, because he very much so loved to mess around and be silly, but all his students knew he cared about them. He was so creative in his teaching. When reading The Odyssey (a typically boring book), Coach made the stories come to life and truly inspired me to love reading. He believed in all his students whether it was in the classroom on on the playing field, he pushed his students to be the best they could be and I truly credit him for wanting to become a teacher. He made teaching look so much fun and so rewarding.

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Mrs. Anderson was my 3rd grade teacher and was always smiling and happy to be at school, doing what she loved.

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Mrs. Joseph was my 2nd grade teacher and a hugger. She also wore an arm full of bracelets you could fell when she hugged you and could hear jingling when sharpened pencils..hahaha

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Mrs. Cristie was my third grade teacher. She used all three of the magic triad but her kind words stand out to me the most after all these years. She was always so supportive. I don't remember her ever getting angry and always had kind words.

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She was my kindergarten teacher and had the best smile and laugh. She made us feel like she really cared about us and enjoyed us.

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She was one of my high school English teachers and was super tough, but also spoke life over us and held us to high expectations.

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I literally cannot think of one teacher that I remember giving kind touches, which is very sad! That just makes me want to implement that in my classroom even more.

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Sometimes I like to think that Mrs. Goode was an angel sent to me that year as my teacher. My mom and dad were discussing possible divorce. My siblings and I were in counseling ( I am not sure if she knew that). Mrs. Goode had such a positive attitude about life and a smile that would make anyone warm on the inside. She took interest in my interests and smiled from across the room to give encouragement. She appeared to genuinely love and care about me so much. She left mid year and never came back. I later found out that she died on Cancer.

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Mrs. Anatole would always compliment me for being such a good student. She didn't just say Demetrice you are a good student , she gave specific praise. Such as: "You are such a good student because of the way that you get straight to work and finish to the end". " You sure know how to figure out a solution to a problem that is sometimes even hard for me", "You go girl, you always amaze me." I didn't think I was all that amazing but she sure did so I felt the need to rise to that expectation daily.

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Greeted everyone at the door with a hug. The day before she was tell us something to go home and be on the lookout for. As we entered the next day, she would give a hug and ask us to answer. For example, Go home and look for one person orthing that makes you smile and be ready to tell me why.

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Mrs. Lee in 6th grade always found a way to relate to us and lift us up.  She would rap (appropriate) songs and laugh with her us.  In turn, we respected her and did our best academically.   (Laura B)

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Mrs. McClure in 3rd grade had the BIGGEST smile.  When I think of her, all I see is her smile.  She even had adult braces which I can see very vividly.  Every time I think of her, it warms my heart. (Laura B)

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Mrs. McKee in kindergarten let me sit in her lap every single day.  I was so attached to my mom and cried every day of kindergarten.  Mrs. McClure let me sit in her lap until i felt calm, loved and ready to learn.  (Laura B)

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My most influential teacher was Mrs. Ginger my third grade teacher and Mrs. Logan. Mrs. Ginger reminds me of Miss Honey from Matilda. She was so gentle and always had the class smelling like a sweet fresh spring day or Christmas Cinnamon in the fall. She challenged me to never give up that year in school. My mother stayed months in the hospital i missed so much school but she never gave up on me she would even come up to the hospital buy me a candy bar from vending machine and we would just talk.

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My most influential teacher was Mrs. Childers. She was always smiling and she made learning fun. I remember her having a "honey bucket" in her room where students put compliments about each other.

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My 7th grade math teacher, Mrs. Murphy was one of the most influential teachers. I was the quiet, shy, reserved kid with no self-esteem. I stayed firmly under the radar of most teachers because I wasn't disruptive and did my work. This math teacher actually SAW me, and I didn't even know what that felt like until then. She lifted me up and made me feel like I was such a smart kid. She was kind and encouraging and made me special.

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My most influential teacher was Mrs. Boetcher. She was my third-grade teacher and was amazing. I moved around a lot and didn't have many friends. We lived near the school, so I walked my brother, who was in kindergarten, and myself, to school every day. She was always encouraging and I was always writing stories to escape my traumatizing childhood. She would patiently read my stories and always told me, "You are such a great writer. You really should be a writer."

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My most influential teacher was Mrs. Sandall. Going into high school, I was not motivated to try and also lacked confidence in my abilities. She was my freshman, junior math teacher and I was her aid my junior year. She was so caring, attentive to all students, got to know us individually, helped us when we needed it. I never had a teacher who went above and beyond like she did. She was involved in our lives from the moment we walked into her room until we left high school. She was amazing!

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My most influential teacher was Mrs. Fitzner. She was patient, understanding and fair. She encouraged all students to be their unique selves and celebrated their unique talents and strengths. She was solution focused. She gave hugs and high fives and I don't remember ever seeing her without a smile on her face, even in the most stressful situations. She was the most influential because she was so kind hearted and always made her students feel good in her presence. Students would always find their way to her classroom at some point in the day even if they didn't have her for class.

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Mrs. Kelm was an enthusiastic 6th grade teacher! Every morning she would yell GOOD MORNING CLASS! She brought people macadamia nut M&Ms from Hawaii, and gives out her crocheted "Happy Little Coasters" (crazy shapes), she always wore crazy socks, hats, and loved spirit days (but she was always dressed in some costume, so every day was spirit day!)

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The most influential teacher in my life was my English teacher in my junior year of high school. Her name was Mrs. Robbie. She lit up a room with her smile; it was contagious. If I was having a rough day, it was her smile that made me feel better. Mrs. Robbie is one of the reasons I decided to become a teacher.

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Ms. Shockley was the first teacher who made me feel like learning history was actually fun. She love she had for the world came through by how fun she made her lessons. She also had a great smile. I was comfortable in her classroom enough to go to her and explain problems I was having with friends at school. She sat down and actually listened to me and validated my feelings.

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The most influential educator in my life was one of my professors in grad school. She pushed me to become better academically that would later prove my abilities, professionally. Not only did she take a genuine interest in my wellbeing but I also never felt judged by her. I have since approached her and inquired on informally adopting me as a coach/mentor.

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My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Waller, was always so kind. She believed in everyone and gave everyone equal opportunities. She always had a sweet smile on her face and I always thought she was excited to see me and be teaching class every single day. She is actually who first inspired me to become a teacher. That is when I knew that I wanted to be a teacher like her!

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Mrs. Smith was my 1st grade teacher that I absolutely adored. She was kind and supportive and loving. She worked so hard to make learning fun (shaving cream on the desks, giant forts for reading, letter stations when we had free time). I loved every second of her class! She had such an amazing impact on me and I think about her often. She retired at the end of my year, and I was so sad. I lived down the street from the elementary school and she would call my mom every time she went in to pack so we could go with her and I could spend time with her.

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Mrs. Wiseman was my high school science teacher. She was thee queen of Science. She was witty, caring, and huggable. She made me feel seen and smart. She the greatest.

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Mrs. Wallis was my kindergarten teacher. She is so kind and always makes every student feel seen and heard. She always has a smile on her face. She is the best storyteller and creates amazing learning experiences for all. I am honored to say, she is now a coworker and mentor. Both of my children have been in her class, and it was even more amazing from a parent standpoint.