Teachers in my Life

At some point in our life, we will certainly meet people who will have a great impact on our life. These special people will shape our perspective and inspire us to be a better person.
We will call these people mentor, guardian angels and many other names, but it means the same thing. After meeting these people, you will never be the same again.
I always write that my Dad is my mentor, as he is the greatest influence in my life. In our life's journey, we will inevitably encounter some truly inspiring everyday heroes in some likely or unlikely places.
In 2007, I was blessed to meet another wonderful person who would become my mentor as well, Dr. Hyacinth Gaudart. I met her during my first class. At first, I was rather shy (for real) but as the class progressed, the coolness simply melted away. Such a warm and cheerful person. I could see that she genuinely likes teaching and is passionate about it.
I like her.
Being the chatterbox that I am, I really enjoyed her class. I never intentionally skipped her class (a surprising fact since I was the Queen of skipping class in uni). I can sit for hours in her class just to absorb in her wise and friendly advice.
I learn so much from her. How to be a good teacher and how I can make my students fall in love with language. She's like a fairy godmother who celebrated Easter Sunday with us and who will treat us to great food because our own families are so far away. She's there to listen to us and to encourage us.
When she shared her experiences as a teacher and then an academician, I start to understand what makes her such a great teacher and mentor. It is her passion for teaching running through her veins and every cells in her body. That is what drives her to use 'unconventional' ways to teach language.
That is what I want to emulate. I don't want to be someone who is jaded. I want the passion to teach keeps me strongly running towards my goal. I want to look back after 30 or 40 years and proudly smile and see that I have made a positive impact on my students' life.
Dr. Gaudart, thanks for the great lesson that you taught me.

This poem below reminds me of Dr. Gaudart.

by Kevin William Huff

Teachers
Paint their minds
and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults

Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring