The four years we teenagers spend in high school are the most formative years of our lives. Education shapes us into the people we will become, and changes who we are. Teachers are our biggest influences from ages five to eighteen, whether we realize it or not. In my years of high school I had been built up and broken down, part of the pack and astray. Being a black girl in an all white school has changed me as a person. The year 2020 was a horrendous year for nearly everyone. My anecdote starts May 25th of that year -- the day George Floyd died. His life and death were instantly politicized. For me, though, this was not just another news story. The newest wave of the civil right movement had begun and I needed to include myself. Of course, I received backlash from my small K-12 school of 200 students. Those previously thought to be my friends were now bashing me behind my back, and some would even pretend to agree with me in my presence but complain later with other students. I was no longer invited on outings, and I was never included in summer fun activities; I had lost all my friends. Though I did not explicitly say it, my teachers knew that I was struggling; however, none made any attempt to reach out to me. That is, except for my English teacher Mrs. Chesley. She encouraged me to remain steadfast in my compassion and tolerance for others, as if she knew the pain I felt. “Isabelle,” she said, “ you were put on Earth to teach people, to be an example. Your positivity challenges their negativity.” She was right. I used my words when those who were bullied could not - exactly what I wanted from a friend when I was in their position. I became understanding of racists, learning that while what they say is racist, they are at a disadvantage of empathy. Education is my calling -- specifically Social Sciences Education at the secondary level. I want to create a more welcoming and comforting environment for kids like me. If they can go into one class period knowing someone will have their back, I’ve succeeded as a person. Once I become a teacher I’ll be able to regulate the sensitive discussions, I can correct students who are acting in offense towards others, and I can be a role model. Most importantly, I can prove my Mrs. Chesley right.

The four years we teenagers spend in high school are the most formative years of our lives. Education shapes us into the people we will become, and changes who we are. Teachers are our biggest influences from ages five to eighteen, whether we realize it or not. In my years of high school I had been built up and broken down, part of the pack and astray. Being a black girl in an all white school has changed me as a person. The year 2020 was a horrendous year for nearly everyone. My anecdote starts May 25th of that year -- the day George Floyd died. His life and death were instantly politicized. For me, though, this was not just another news story. The newest wave of the civil right movement had begun and I needed to include myself. Of course, I received backlash from my small K-12 school of 200 students. Those previously thought to be my friends were now bashing me behind my back, and some would even pretend to agree with me in my presence but complain later with other students. I was no longer invited on outings, and I was never included in summer fun activities; I had lost all my friends. Though I did not explicitly say it, my teachers knew that I was struggling; however, none made any attempt to reach out to me. That is, except for my English teacher Mrs. Chesley. She encouraged me to remain steadfast in my compassion and tolerance for others, as if she knew the pain I felt. “Isabelle,” she said, “ you were put on Earth to teach people, to be an example. Your positivity challenges their negativity.” She was right. I used my words when those who were bullied could not - exactly what I wanted from a friend when I was in their position. I became understanding of racists, learning that while what they say is racist, they are at a disadvantage of empathy. My trauma is supposed to be a negative thing, but I see it as character development. Education is my calling -- specifically Social Sciences Education at the secondary level. I want to create a more welcoming and comforting environment for kids like me. If they can go into one class period knowing someone will have their back, I’ve succeeded as a person. Once I become a teacher I’ll be able to regulate the sensitive discussions, I can correct students who are acting in offense towards others, and I can be a role model. Most importantly, I can prove my Mrs. Chesley right.