During my time in the education system, I was taught by many teachers, but I would characterize only a few as exceptional. Exceptional teachers are distinguished by their passion and love for teaching that ignites a fire in receptive students.
One such teacher was Mrs. Cynthia Henry, my Grade nine high school Home Economics teacher. She taught us not only about home economics but also life. Mrs. Henry’s passion and love for teaching were so strong that they acted as a magnet that drew my attention. She was then able to challenge my mind, motivating me to want to know more. One method this exceptional teacher used frequently in challenging my mind was to introduce thought provoking ideas into classroom discussions. Our discussions showed me that I had several misconceptions or fairytale ideas about life. For example, it was through discussions with her that I realized there was no such thing as “happily ever after”. Rather, it was up to us to determine what we wanted our lives to look like given the options we had.
Although Mrs. Henry herself did not have a “happily ever after” existence as a single parent bringing up her daughter alone, she still found time to demonstrate her passion and love for teaching by taking special interest in her students. She even went as far as to invite some of us to her home. Like many exceptional teachers, Mrs. Henry spent time and energy getting to know her students and building relationships with parents. Realizing that students faced many challenges, she provided extra help, referrals, and assistance for students. Striving to not give up on students, Mrs. Henry never pushed any aside nor settled for less than the best from them because sometimes teacher are the only hope and encouragement that some students receive. She taught by example and did not set unattainable goals or standards for her students that she herself could not meet.
Since Mrs. Henry taught by example, she would use examples from her personal life to demonstrate her point. She did not set herself up as a paragon of virtue trying to appear as though she had all the answers. In fact, once she realized that she had made a mistake, she would be the first to admit it. This exceptional teacher advised us that we also would make mistakes, but we should not use these mistakes to limit ourselves or give up. Rather, we should learn from these mistakes and turn them into life learning lessons.
Mrs. Henry’s passion and love for teaching has had countless effects on my life. It was her love of higher education that lit a fire in me giving me the desire and determination to attend university. This exceptional teacher taught me to expect the best from myself and to value myself as a woman. She taught me to aim high despite my fears and doubts, and that even though life would have many setbacks, I should never make excuses and give up. She was a great influence on my life, and I was fortunate to have had her as a teacher.