Last year I was sent a video, not just any video but a special heartfelt video. It made me believe that I had truly made a difference and impacted someone's life. It was unexpected, the proof of improvement was never required but it truly warmed my heart. I had picked up remote tutoring, from this program called, “Cristina’s Academy,” for this little boy and it had started off as an opportunity to gain hours. That blossomed into something more. I got the opportunity to get to know this little boy and understand at least a small aspect of his child like mind and thoughts to better help him in school. Little did I know this would not only also influence his life but mine as well. 
 At first I had thought nothing of it, just a kid needing some extra help. My only focus was the benefits for me so I was not as passionate at first. However, as some weeks went by I started getting actual feedback from his mom that he had been improving and I was surprised. I thought I was teaching this child things he already knew but it was so much more than that. I was getting to know him, things he liked and disliked, learning how he could understand things better, and getting to know what teaching styles suited him the most. The thing that had made me extremely proud of not only my student but also myself was when his mother would send me screenshots of text messages that my students teacher would send her to let her know how good he's been doing with his assignments. It got to the point that his mom would send videos of my student thanking me for helping him pass the exams and understanding his work. These videos would motivate me to continue striving despite whatever troubles I am having. I must set those aside to persist in doing what's right. I still have these videos saved and quite frankly look at them when I'm feeling unmotivated or uninspired. The fact that I, as a singular unit of a person, helped someone else and made a change, even if just a small change, in their lives not only boosts my confidence in myself to go above and beyond but also makes me want to continue to help others with an important cause. There were many days where it was harder to teach because of the workload school had given me. I had felt defeated and overwhelmed on a plethora of tutoring days. Yet, the thing that made it all so worth it was the smile I'd be receiving by the end of the session from my student. The fact that I could confide in my skills and help him comprehend lessons in a way he’d understand made any dreaded feeling scurry away. Never doubting my abilities, confiding in myself and others, and learning to respect everyone and what they believe because you never ever know what is going on behind closed doors. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I received last year to participate in something so important and to have learned so much from it. My introduction to Cristina's Academy’s remote tutoring program was the most surprising silver lining in the dark clouds that developed and made up part of who I am and will always strive to be.