Wow! As I look back I realize how nervous I actually was on the first day of seventh grade. Now I’d be in middle school, dropping from the ‘big kids’ to the ‘under-dogs.’ Let me tell you, I was scared. I didn’t know how I would fit in or even what teachers would think of me. One could say that I am definitely not a fan of change. When there is change, I tend to get worried and think that things should just stay the way they were. I don’t like facing new people or new teachers. I guess that was just one of my fears. I was always afraid that my new teacher wouldn’t discover the same intelligence in me as my previous ones; but when I entered seventh grade, I finally realized I had been wrong all along.

Writing had always been one of my strengths, although I never really noticed it. I finally saw my talent become unraveled when I entered Mrs. Reilly’s class. It was never me that would draw the words out from within me, it would be her. She was just such a wonderful teacher in all sorts of ways. She saw faith and gifts of all sorts in every student; she would keep tugging on their silk of talent until it would be shown to all. Mrs. Reilly was, and always will be, my favorite teacher.

Mrs. Reilly has now retired and no longer teaches at Elm Street School, although I can still feel her in the classroom. I can hear her voice telling me to continue working hard and striving for only the best in life. As I hear her voice, she teaches me how to listen.

She taught me how to believe in myself and in my writings. With her, I found my gift of writing, so in this article I would like to thank her. Mrs. Reilly, I thank you for all your hard work in being a teacher, but in also being a friend. You taught me so much about myself and discovered so many great talents. I want you to know that I don’t only speak for myself, I speak for all the students’ lives and hearts that you have touched. We would like to thank you. Mrs. Reilly you are loved.