I was lucky enough to grow up going to amazing public schools; Rockledge Elementary School, Saunders Middle School, C.D. Hylton High School, and now Virginia Commonwealth University. I was even luckier to grow up with a public school teacher as a mom. I would not be where I am today without the amazing teachers that have taught me growing up, my mom included.

I honestly can’t talk about public school without mentioning my mom. She has been teaching for over 20 years and still has the same passion that she started with. She loves what she does and pours her heart and soul into each child’s education. She is everything a teacher should be; empathetic, caring, hardworking, driven, and persistent. There were many times growing up where these traits about her annoyed me to no end. Sometimes I felt like I was leaving school and coming home to another teacher, not to mention all the late nights spent at school for activities or back to school night, but looking back on it, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I got to see the teacher beyond the classroom. I would get to hear stories every day about what her class had done and about each individual child. My mom is the kind of teacher that each of her children becomes her “babies”; she looks out for them just like she would look out for me or my sister. She taught me to be empathetic, caring, and how to look out for others. Throughout my career in school, I would always want to help like she did. I would be the kid in class that would ask everyone what was wrong and make sure everyone was okay. When I got older, I would go back and teach kids how to read and write.

There are so many more layers to being a public school teacher than people think. It isn’t just a school, it’s a community. My mom was known as the “baby” when she started teaching and was one of the youngest teachers where she taught when she had me. When I was born, she would bring me in and everyone loved me and would help take care of me. She was never alone in raising me, no matter how hectic her schedule. Those teachers she worked with watched me grow up and even came out to see me graduate from college. Today she does the same for the new generation of “baby” teachers at her school. Teachers are in it for the long run; I am the example of that.

Growing up in an environment of public school teachers has made me who I am today. So a huge thank you to my mom and every other public school teacher out there. I don’t have the words to thank you enough for everything you’ve done. No matter what happens these four years and beyond, keep doing what you’re doing. It makes a real difference.