COLUMN: Teachers are the good role models

If someone came up to me and asked me who my role models were, the list would be quite eclectic. Included would be Lon Chaney Sr., Rick Baker (two very important developers of special effects makeup), Alice Cooper, Buddy Holly and Bela Lugosi (if you’ve read my other columns you know how I feel about these guys). And the list goes on.

But more importantly, not all the ones people look up to are famous. No, at times the most influential on the minds are the people on the home front. A person you see nearly everyday, a person who instructs you and guides you.

Like a teacher perhaps.

My parents have always told me that one day there will be a teacher that will be unforgettable and be a big influence on my life. Luckily for me, I’ve already found two teachers that I know I’ll never forget.

In seventh grade, I experienced my first year of public school. I had always gone to a private school (I won’t say names but they had uniforms, yuck!) and public school was such a drastic change. In eighth grade, I was still adjusting, finally settling into place. My grades were good, I had wonderful friends and all the drama from the previous year faded away.

Ms. Kopp was my eighth grade English and social studies teacher and everyday I looked forward to her class. She would always talk about her quaint little “shack” that she adored, secluded in the woods. She loved animals and even had a deer go on walks with her.

But that’s not what made her so special. Ms. Kopp always believed in me. This was two years before the Barrow Journal had started and I was just getting into photography with a little Kodak camera. She encouraged me to reach for my dreams and to set goals.

Again, there was more that made her special. Ms. Kopp didn’t care what people thought about her. I know there were kids who hated her, and she knew that but didn’t care. “I’m not here for you to like me, I’m here to teach,” she would always say. I admired that confidence.

Going through the early teenage years, I know I was shy and not as confident in myself, but Ms. Kopp showed me that it’s fine if people don’t like you. Just keep your head up high.

Moving on to high school was difficult. It was sad knowing that Ms. Kopp was leaving that middle school that next year. Still, I remembered all the things I had learned from her classes and not just the things that came from a textbook. I kept my head held up high and tried not to show how terrified I was to be a freshman in high school.

The first few days were rough. My schedule said I didn’t have a math class, and I wanted to drop an elective for drama instead. It wasn’t until the third day of high school that things finally started to settle into place.

Unfortunately for me, Drama that year was filled up and my dad had to just pick an available elective. At the time I was very disappointed, and I really didn’t want to take the class my dad had chosen.

Fortunately for me, it was one of the best and most importanT classes I would ever take: journalism. And that is where I fell in love with writing and reporting the news.

I think if it weren’t for Mr. Hon, I wouldn’t be interested in journalism. He taught me the different ways of writing articles and how to interview and talk to people directly. I’m not sure if I would have stuck with print journalism if Mr. Hon never inspired me to do better.

After a semester in Journalism, I wanted to go further, so I enrolled again the next semester. My junior year I returned for a full year, and for my final year I am hoping to continue my year round schedule. It’s my last year, and I want to go out with a bang.

Luckily I always strived to do my best and in doing so, I became a stronger writer and stronger person. Now I am a part of the Barrow Journal staff and gaining experience as well as putting the things he taught me into action.

A few days ago, I really stopped and thought about where I am in life. This is my senior year. This will be my last year in high school. It really got to me. There will be so many friends that’ll be left behind. I never thought this year would come.

It’s been a long journey and the price has paid off. I’ve had wonderful teachers, even ones that I didn’t mention. I’ve had ups and downs and learned a lot about life.

Ms. Kopp taught me confidence and always told me to believe in myself (if only she could see me now) and Mr. Hon helped me develop my love of journalism and what I want to do with my life after high school.

And to all the teachers that I’ve had, I appreciate everything you have done for me and taught me. There isn’t a single teacher or class that I’ve had where I’ve never learned something new about myself or about life.

When I complete high school this spring and finally walk across that 50 yard line, I’ll have learned even more from teachers whom I have yet to meet. It’s the final stretch and I thank all the teachers who help kids of all ages every Monday through Friday to get to this final lap. Good instructors make the difference.

As the school year approaches (rather rapidly), to the teachers I wish you the best of luck and to know that everyone of you has inspired someone in some way. Thank you.

Jessica Brown is the photographer for the Barrow Journal. You can reach her at jessica@picsbyjessica.com