Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

In high school I had a wonderful orchestra teacher that really inspired me to excel & to practice on my cello. I had one other teacher that inspired me was an English teacher. He told me that I was talented & was good at writing.

They both influenced me in different ways, but both had a positive impact. Since I was deemed “disabled” because I couldn’t do math they placed me in the “disability” room in high school. Where I was a cash cow for the community I lived in.

Although I was multilingual & always did my homework they placed me with a verbally abusive special education teacher. I dreaded going to school everyday because of her behavior.

Hence, when I had orchestra & English I excelled in the classroom probably because the teachers gave me respect & the ability to express myself without being condemned for it. I’m grateful to them to this day for showing me that I can do anything I put my mind to.