She Saw The Light Within Me. . . She Helped Me To Shine
Everyone has a special light that shines within. Sometimes that special light takes a little inspiration in order to shine its very best. She saw that light within me. Since the first day of high school, she was determined to do nothing but bring out the best in me. Her expectations were very high, and she made sure that I met each and every one of them. It was that first day in high school that she not only saw the light in me, but I saw the light in her. I can truly say that she reaches out to all of her students. She is not just a teacher, but she is her students’ friend.
I was just a little shy freshmen in high school when I met the teacher that would change my life. She looked beyond my shyness and saw my abilities. I remember she always had her students to write journals and then stand to read them. Even though she taught a computer class, she still wanted her students to know how to speak and write well. It was these journals that allowed her to see my ability to write and speak. She saw the light in me, and she also helped me to see that light. She encouraged me to join Future Business Leaders of America and Teachers of Tomorrow (TOT). Not only was I able to hold an office in TOT, but also I was able to speak at the TOT Celebration on Teaching. She listened to my speech and helped to critic it. She chose me to deliver the speech because she knew that I had the ability, but I just needed a little push. It was then that I realized that I could be a leader and a speaker. She gave me the push that I needed and helped me to shine.
I was only her student for one year. However, after that year had passed, she continued to teach me great life skills. She taught be determination and the meaning of hard work. She didn’t just tell me to work hard but she too worked hard. She taught me to be a life long learner and to always hunger for knowledge. Since the first day I met her, there has never been a time when I felt low and she wasn’t there to pick me up. I could always count on her. I can remember times when school would get stressful; she would always tell me "Cora don’t worry, you can do it." She taught me the meaning of the words "never give up." She never gave up and she wouldn’t let me give up either. She never allowed the actions of others to discourage her students, because she believes in us. She wanted us to believe in ourselves and stand up for what we believed. I can reflect back on that day when there was a man who walked up to me and said, "You attend McClellan? I thought they closed that school because the students weren’t learning and the teachers weren’t teaching." I told him that I am learning and my teachers are teaching me. The statement that the man had made really upset me because I know that there are great teachers and students at McClellan. When I told my teacher she walked right up to him and had him to apologize to her students. She told him that her students are stars and she didn’t want anything or anyone to discourage us. I knew then that she really wanted her students to shine. I learned from her actions to always stand up for what I believe and what I know is right. She taught me to never let anyone else tell me that I cannot shine. It was these skills that helped my light to shine brighter and brighter.
Now, I am able to stand in front of crowds of thousands of people and speak with confidence. Now, I am a leader in my school and my community. I am no longer the little shy girl hiding in the background. Now, I am the confident young lady seeking to make a difference in the world and stand up for what believe. She saw the light in me and now I shine.
Now it is time for me to pass on the figts she has given me. I must help others to see the light within. In order for me to help others, I must let my light shine and lead by example. I must give the gift of love to others as it was given unto me. The words that I speak and the things that I do must inspire others to become the best that they can be. I must be a positive role model as she has been for me. I will pass on these gifts to others that it might be passed from generation to generation.
I will be the one constantly telling others that they can succeed. I will be the one to continuously push that one person who thinks they will never be able to achieve. I will be the whisper in their ear telling them that he or she can do it. I will be there to pick them up when they fall. I will reach out to others when everyone else has given up on them. I will make a difference in someone’s life, because I know that everyone has a special light within.
Maybe you are wondering just who this special teacher is. This is a teacher who has given a part of herself to each and everyone of her students. This is a teacher who has touched the hearts and lives of many students. I’ve realized over the years that sometimes it takes more than just a light to shine. You see, it takes a special person to bring out the light within others and that special person for me is Ms Gladys Godley, a light within my heart.
