Sankaran 1

Neha Sankaran

Miles

Period 6

1 May 2019

Just an Impact?

Throughout a person’s life, they are estimated to meet approximately eighty thousand

people. Obviously, if I were to ask you to name all of the people you’ve met in your lifetime,

there’s no way you could tell me. However, you would be able to name a few; the people you

even think to name may include someone you just met yesterday in the coffee shop, someone

you love but have grown apart from or the obnoxious kid who sits behind you in health class.

Feelings aside, these individuals share something in common. The people whom you thought of,

have all in one way or another, left some sort of impact on you and your life. It doesn’t matter

how long you’ve known someone that determines their impression, but how they made you feel

that resonates with you, creating the idea, that it’s likely those closest to you are not relatives

you’ve known your whole life, but individuals you’ve created a great and positive bond with. My

middle school teacher, Mrs. Erica, is someone I recognize to have large impacts on the person I

am today, and I am fortunate to have formed such a strong relationship with someone so humble

enough to spread.

Mrs. Erica’s charisma includes an incredibly bright and spunky personality, always

pushing and supporting her students to achieve. I have never seen someone love their job as

much as she does; with teaching three general subjects including different courses within math,

science, and history, she remains giving every lesson and commitment, one hundred fifty percent
 Sankaran 1

of her efforts. She possesses so much passion and energy in which she uses towards the things

she loves, and it not only inspires me but others around her to lead in such the positive matter she

does. She takes the time to get to know her students and others, and I think the quality of being

so understanding and accepting is what makes her so approachable. I first met Mrs. Erica while

in upper elementary when I was placed in advanced math and had to go to her middle school

class to take the course. Like every relationship, the ups and downs came and I never would have

thought she would be someone I would greatly look up to in my future as a role model for help

and advice.

I cherish the memories we’ve made and the advice she has given me throughout the

years; one of the most influential moments being a dilemma that seems so minuscule, yet to me,

it was a whole other story. In the eighth grade, I had noticed for weeks I could not see the board

as clearly as I used to, and at the point when my eye exam was scheduled I had already known

well I would have to get glasses. Yet the moment my doctor suggested I try on their assortment, I

broke down in tears. Walking into school the next day with my new pair, I felt vulnerable, as if

all anyone saw was that I actually couldn’t see, and having a panic attack was completely out of

the ordinary since I had never even cried in class.

Mrs. Erica sat me down and gave me possibly one of the most uplifting speeches I’ve

ever heard and helped me look at myself and this “dilemma” in a more positive light. This was

something that may sound so minor to anybody else, but for me, it was an impact that will

continue to stay with me forever. Though to another she may appear as just a teacher, Mrs. Erica

values so much more to me, and I am so fortunate to hold her as a wonderful influence.