My Significant, Significant Relationship

     Honestly, I don't know where to begin. To be completely transparent, I've lived my life unknowingly searching for an adult to depend on. I have loving parents, but because we are so different it makes it really difficult to relate or even open up to them. Year after year I found myself disappointed because my teachers were simply teachers. And who was I do make that a bad thing? They were doing their job. In fact, they were great teachers. So why was it that I was disappointed? I asked myself this question at the end of every school year, the end of another potential relationship that didn't quite work out... until one year it did. My junior year, the year that is notorious for stress & overwhelming emotions, I was blessed with Mrs. Susan Stevens. She was the teacher who's job was to prepare me for teaching but who in reality prepared me for life. To squeeze my love and appreciation for her into one blog is a daunting task, but I'm attempting none the less.

     When I picture myself teaching my future students down the road, I hope to be as inspirational to them as Mrs. Stevens is to me. Mrs. Stevens comes in daily, sets us up with mentors to learn from, all while who we really learn the most from is her. She teaches us how to observe and absorb all that our mentor teachers offer. She tells us how to use our mentoring to our advantage. But I often wonder if Mrs. Stevens realizes that though we do learn a lot from our site schools, we learn the most from her daily bits of wisdom, her words of direct honesty, and her constant reminders that we are enough and capable. I know that my mentor teachers have taught me so much and I am so grateful for them- but I couldn't imagine taking Education and Training without my Susan being the teacher. In fact, I can't imagine my life without her.

     One of my favorite things about Mrs. Stevens is her motherly nature. I have never met a mother whose first priority wasn't their children. And Mrs. Stevens is no different; it is completely obvious that we are her first priority at school. She proves this is many forms, but one of my favorites is her honesty. Mrs. Stevens is quick to call you out and she isn't afraid of giving her opinion. Though this drove me crazy at times, she only did it because she expected the best from us. To me, the fact that Mrs. Stevens even takes the time to call us out is a compliment. I appreciate the days where she pushed me three steps further when I was just fine with my one step. And I'm grateful for when I simply accepted satisfactory but she wouldn't. Her drive and belief in me helped create a belief in myself and for that alone, I'm forever grateful.

     Other qualities where her motherly nature stood out was with her transparency and open arms. Mrs. Stevens let us become a part of her life. We know about her husband Bob and her children and even little Hattie. We know her favorite drink from Sonic (when she liked lime & when she grew tired of the lime) and her favorite snacks. We know what will drive her crazy (like the Miranda voice) and what will make her laugh (the pictures of me and Julian). She allowed us to get to know her as a person but what is truly amazing is that she didn't stop there. She knew us too. Mrs. Stevens knows about all my jobs (including the one where I was fired) and all my past boyfriends (or who I'd like to refer to as "friends" who were boys). She knows what we love and what we hate. She knows our strengths and weaknesses. But most beautifully, she knows our hearts. Along with being transparent, she always has her arms open for whoever needs it. I can't tell you how many times I stayed late with her and she wouldn't hesitate with helping me. I would watch student after student come in for her assistance and despite it taking away her time from her work, she would happily help. Because of her open arms, I felt at home when I was with her. Whether we were in North Richland Hills, Minneapolis, or Washington D.C., if she was there then I was home. The Education and Training Program truly became my home away from home. Every morning, afternoon, and quite a few of my weekends revolved around EAT- and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Mrs. Stevens helped mold me into the person that I am today. She took my strengths and helped me peruse them. I am now continually expanding my service opportunities, strengthening my speaking, building my confidence, chasing my dreams, and always looking out for others. There are very few teachers who can develop a student mentally and emotionally. It's extremely hard to imagine not getting to see Mrs. Stevens everyday next year but I know I'll somehow manage...(mainly because she prepared me to & because I'll be paying many visits!). I can't even begin to think about how colorless high school would have been without her and her class. I'm not over exaggerating when I say that it was life altering.

     I want to end this by again emphasizing my love and appreciation. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for coming to class every day with motives that exposed your tender heart. Thank you for your time, dedication, and constant support. Thank you for sticking by me, encouraging me, and putting up with me. You quickly became my adult whom I could lean on and that means more than you could ever know. I hope you realize that you are now stuck with me because you will be apart of my life forever! I love you so much and I will never forget these last two years with you.