A Teacher Makes a Lasting Impression

​When I was in grade 2, my family moved from Vancouver to the very small town of Dunsmuir in northern California where I would go to a new school. Everything was new and exciting. At my elementary school back home, I was treated like the little grade 1 student that I was. In California, I had a newfound sense of responsibility and pride. First off, my 5-year-old brother and I had to walk up the street on our own to catch the school bus. This was very exciting for me at the time. Usually it was waiting for us at the top of the hill because punctuality wasn't our forte. When I arrived at school, I was expected to have the pledge of allegiance memorized, which was something I took pride in learning even though I wasn't old enough to truly understand what I was saying. Back in grade 1, we had tables grouped together, but in my American grade 2 classroom I sat proudly in my very own stand alone desk that had a pop-up top with all of my precious school supplies inside. And if that wasn't enough, I had homework nearly every day, which I took on in stride. Unfortunately the novelty eventually wore off, but I loved how it made me feel very grown up. I remember doing my math homework with a great sense of pride, taking time to neatly colour in my pie chart fractions in beautiful colours. I was also expected to learn all 50 states and be able to label them on a map. I distinctly remember getting 48/50 on my test because I mixed up Illinois and Indiana, but I know I would do worse if I had to re-take it now. I basked in the responsibility given to me, since school before then felt like merely play - which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but I wanted so badly to live up to these new, high expectations and please my teacher. When I think of that year, I reflect on how I took pride in my abilities and in my work. I felt so supported by the teachers around me, who encouraged me to learn and grow. I can still hear the response of my classroom teacher, Ms. Telegin, when I asked her, “How do you spell 'together'?” “It's like to-get-her.” I haven't been back to the small town as an adult and I would be surprised if she was still there, but I'd like to thank her for leaving such a positive mark on me. She was younger and undoubtably a newer teacher, and she was so warm and encouraging. She reminds me of Ms. Honey from Matilda, and in fact, one of my favourite memories of being in her class was sitting on the carpet – or if you were lucky, on the couch – while she read us Roald Dahl after lunch. Her classroom was the perfect balance of expectation and pushing us to grow, while still giving us time to just be kids. I hope to be just like Ms. Telegin – to make a safe and warm space for children that encourages them to take pride in their work and grow.