I will always remember my 11th-grade¹ English teacher, Ms. M. She had such a profound impact on me and was one of the most inspiring teachers I've ever had.

Before her class, I saw myself as just an average student who didn't have much passion for writing. I tended to just complete assignments to get them over with. But from the first day in Ms. M's class, I could tell she approached teaching differently.

Her passion for literature and language was infectious. She found ways to relate even the most complex works we read to our lives. I started seeing assignments not as tasks to check off but as opportunities to learn and grow. And whenever I approached her with a question about certain authors and their style, she always had the answer.

Her belief in continuously challenging myself remained a lesson long after that year. One debate she organized still stands out - whether writers should censor themselves. Coming from my background as a passive writer, arguing for total openness stretched me creatively. I still draw on the rhetorical skills I gained there.

Most of all, Ms. M helped me find my voice.

She encouraged experimenting with different writing styles to discover what I had to say and how I wanted to say it. Whenever I felt uncertain, she boosted my confidence with thoughtful feedback. By submitting my work to the school archives at her recommendation, I realized my skills and took pride in my writing for the first time.

Her legacy has stayed with me as I continue pursuing writing. For opening my eyes to literature's power and cultivating a passion that has endured, I will always be grateful to Ms. M.