Throughout your years attending elementary school, middle school, high school and college, you have a wide range of teachers you will experience. You will have the teacher who is extremely strict, the one who doesn't care about their students, tries a little too hard, is just plain annoying, and the one teacher who impacts your life completely. Growing up, it can be challenging to believe in yourself, and you have doubts on the outcome of a difficult task. This is when a positive influence is needed in your life to remind you to never give up, and that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

We all have had at least one teacher who has encouraged us like no other. You had a connection with this teacher that made class enjoyable, and the subject exciting to learn. Like many people, math is not my subject at all, and something I've struggled with it my whole life. In my junior year of high school, I took algebra two/trigonometry, and was convinced I'd never pass the regents (this is a New York State final exam that is pointless, for anyone wondering). When midterms came around I got a 33 on my exam, that gave me a 30 percent chance of passing the regents. I cried and wanted to give up so badly, but my teacher saw something in me I couldn't see in myself.

He helped me, during the next six months during class and outside of class, learn everything my mind could absorb. When I wanted to throw in the towel, he reminded me I am better than that and could do this. After months of staying after school and skipping lunch, the day of the regents came. I felt completely prepared, but extremely anxious. My teacher assured me the all of my hard work would pay off and to relax, because I was one of his most determined students ever. A week later, he got back to me with my grade; I had passed! This made me feel on top of the world, and like I could do anything. I would not have been able to believe in myself as much if it wasn't for him believing in my as much as he did.

For all of you teachers out there who are positively impacting students lives the way mine did, I personally want to say thank you.

Thank you for not looking down on the students who struggle.

Thank you for pulling back the thick layers of students who think they can't achieve success.

Thank you being determined to work extra for your students.

Thank you for caring about your job.

Thank you for helping students with future academic hopes.

Thank you for being a person we could trust and feel comfortable with.

Thank you for pushing us, because we all know we needed it.

Thank you for believing us when we couldn't believe in ourselves, and no one else did either.

But seriously, if it wasn't for the positive impact of one teacher, I wouldn't be the thriving student I am today. Teachers, don't forget the impact you have on your students; you can potentially change one person's life by believing in them. Students, don't forget most teachers want to see you thrive; let them help you. One positive influence can change everything.