I first fell in love with learning in Mr. Bell’s seventh grade history class. Lessons about the European Renaissance opened my imagination to a wider world filled with art, culture, and visionary leaders that shaped history. Mr. Bell sparked a curiosity that pushed me to look beyond the walls of our classroom and eventually toward civic engagement and public service.
I learned the lesson of grit in Ms. Cheatham’s eighth grade algebra class. Math never came naturally to me, and I spent many mornings sitting at her desk an hour before the first bell of the day rang, trying to understand advanced fractions that seemed impossible. Tears were probably shed in that classroom. Still, she patiently worked beside me until the problems finally clicked. More importantly, she taught me that success is not about natural talent. It is about persistence, discipline, and the willingness to keep showing up.
By high school, my teachers were shaping not only my work ethic, but also my confidence. In Dr. Kusta’s AP Language class, I learned the power of words to persuade and inspire. My debate coach, Mrs. Cimino, helped me discover my voice. On long van rides to tournaments, she encouraged me to think seriously about law school and working in government. She stayed after school to listen to my speeches and help me improve. Because of teachers like her, I arrived at college believing I could accomplish anything I set my mind to.
As SGA President at The University of Alabama, I see the impact educators have on students every day. I also continue to hear about it through my mother, who is a teacher in Alabama herself. Growing up, I watched her spend evenings at the kitchen table preparing lesson plans, grading assignments, and worrying about her students long after the school day ended. I saw firsthand how deeply teachers care about the children in their classrooms. For so many educators, teaching is not simply a profession. It is an act of service.
When I decided to run for SGA President at UA, some of my former teachers from Hartselle reached out to encourage and support me. That is the power of public education at its best. It creates communities of encouragement and support that extend far beyond graduation.
I see that same commitment in my professors at UA. One of my political science professors, Dr. Allen Linken, has deeply invested in me. Through conversations about law school, leadership, and life after graduation, he has shown me what integrity and servant leadership look like in practice. At the Shelby Institute and the Blackburn Institute, faculty and staff have also guided me through difficult decisions about internships, policy work, and balancing campus responsibilities with personal growth.
At a time in my life where I am growing and do not have all the answers, I feel blessed to have these educators and mentors to guide me in the right direction.
Looking back, I realize Alabama’s public schools gave me both roots and wings. They grounded me in values like hard work, humility, and compassion while encouraging me to dream bigger than I ever imagined possible. They have also made me proud to be an Alabamian. The lessons that shaped me most were not always found in textbooks. They were found in early morning tutoring sessions, long conversations after debate practice, and teachers who chose to invest a little extra time in a student who needed it.
Thank you to our teachers who opened a classroom early, stayed late, or believed in a student before they believed in themselves. I know that I am deeply grateful for your service.
May is Teacher Appreciation Month.