Mrs. Johnson's 11th Grade Math Class. by Stacy

Mrs. Johnson's 11th Grade Math Class. by Stacy - June 2021 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I maintained a 4.0, took numerous AP classes, worked a part time job, and seemed to be an all around “pleasure to have in class.” I had dreams of practicing medicine and making my family and everyone who had supported me proud- or so that’s what I thought.
During my junior year, everything changed. I completely withdrew from everything I had ever worked for. My gpa went from a 4.0 to nearly flunking every single class; that year I nearly failed. However, despite losing the part of me that defined a pivotal journey of adolescence to adulthood, there was one teacher who recognized that the “old” Stacy hadn’t disappeared but lost track of who she was.
约翰逊太太。她是我11年级的数学老师keep in mind math was never my strong suit. Yet, her way of teaching was engaging in that every single concept was concise; reflective of her patience and kind attitude in the classroom. I had taken an honors class with her my Freshman year, but my poor grades and iffy attendance begged to differ. It wasn’t until she pulled me aside one day and asked what was wrong. This was the first time any teacher had noticed the shift in my behavior. Of course, at first I insisted nothing was wrong because I was never the type to express my feelings. Yet, she assured me I could trust her and I laid everything out on the table. I explained to her how I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Studying was never an issue before, but now I could barely muster up the energy to wake up in the morning. Finally, I came clean. I was being cyberbullied by classmates and numerous fake rumors and social media accounts were made impersonating me. She assured me and promised we would get to the bottom of everything. She took matters into her own hands and notified the principal, who aided in providing an anonymous announcement reviewing our school’s no-bullying policy and how expulsion would occur if a student was caught engaging in such behavior.
Finally, the bullying and constant notifications subsided. Yet, there was one problem that would seemingly come back to haunt me; my grades. I went from averaging straight A’s, to having marks that barely qualified as passing. Unfortunately, it was too close to the end of the school year for redemption. However, my math teacher never once let that be an excuse and generously gave me a “pass” instead of a low 65. The following year, I enrolled in a dual credit course taught by Mrs. Johnson and earned an A and college credit.
Now as a rising Sophomore in college, I have maintained Dean’s List for the past two semesters and I am ironically enrolled in an accelerated Summer math program. I work nearly 40 hours a week as a Pharmacy Technician and math has become my favorite subject. I have paid off every single semester on my own account and am pursuing my dreams of becoming a doctor. Yet I often ponder the future had Mrs. Johnson never pulled me aside that day. I once thought my dreams were completely ruined because of a single score on a report card, but I now know the value of hitting rock bottom and getting right back up. To this day, she will always be on my mind and her kind, encouraging words live on with every test I take and every equation I solve. It gets better and for the longest time, I thought I would never find the “old” me again. However, I have found something better; a “new” me who is capable and ready for any challenge that comes her way. Thank you Mrs. Johnson.