The level of education in public schools in small towns are not helpful for students planning to attend college, but once in a while you will find a teacher that pushes you to greatness. I found that in a health occupations teacher at North Surry High School located in Mount Airy, NC. Angie Cave is the type of teacher that would help a struggling student gain the confidence needed for future success. Angie gave me more than an education. She taught me to find a career that suited my desires in life. She taught me to never give up my dreams and that with hard work I could become anything I ever wanted to be.

In high school, I was the shy and quiet teen who had an intense fear of never being able to follow my dreams. Since then, I have had the voice of Mrs. Cave in my head telling me that my hard work and dedication will pay off. I gained the confidence I needed to find myself and become the person I always wanted to be in life. Without Angie Cave I would still be in Mount Airy and probably wouldn’t have went to college. Everything I strive to be today is due to her constant support and belief that I could be anything I set my mind to.

Now, I am college student at the oldest woman’s private school in the country with dreams of being a hospital social worker. My passion for medicine originated in my first class with Mrs. Cave and the material and lessons she taught me are still used in my daily life and will be used for the rest of my life. I was truly blessed to have an educator with such heart for a difficult job. Without individuals like Mrs. Cave, our school systems would fall apart and our students wouldn’t reach higher education.

Teachers seem to be overlooked and treated poorly, but they are the people that are raising our future generations. They are the ones that dedicate their time to supporting and pushing their students to success. If every teacher was as dedicated as Mrs. Cave, the world would be a better place. Her constant support and her not giving up on any of her students proves that she deserves more than anyone could ever give her. When she isn’t teaching highschoolers, Mrs. Cave is an RN, wife, mother and a proud grandmother. She demonstrates as much passion for her family and work as a nurse as she does as a teacher. I am proud student of Mrs. Cave and I will always remember the lessons and memories I had at NSHS as her student and, now, as her friend.