Ever since my first day of pre-kindergarten, some of my best memories have been made in the classroom. Whether it be learning my site-words in first grade, or revising my history project for the hundredth time, I have always recognized how important it is to have a teacher willing to help you every step of the way. Many of my high school teachers permanently changed my life for the better, such as when my grade-ten English teacher encouraged me to write more; writing has since given me more happiness than I ever could have imagined. To make a long story short, it does not matter who you are, where you come from, or what goals you have: the best teachers always makes their students feel welcome, and encourage them to seek out their best selves.
Teachers have more responsibility in today’s society than they ever had in the past. Teaching is no longer just about delivering a curriculum: it is about creating an inclusive environment that is welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other factors of one’s being that someone might feel marginalized for. Nobody deserves to feel discriminated against in one of the most important environments our youth will ever be placed in. We have a responsibility to not simply respect one another, but to create an extended family where everyone is welcome. This may be a daunting task, but it is a challenge I am up for.
