After spending 13 years in public school and now embarking on my journey in higher education, it’s challenging to single out just one individual who has profoundly influenced me. From my earliest school days, I was fortunate to have teachers who not only nurtured my academic growth but also saw me as an individual, going above and beyond their job descriptions. I think of the teachers who stayed after school to offer personalized tutorials, ensuring that I understood challenging material. I remember the kind gestures from those who noticed when I didn’t have lunch and quietly shared a snack. I think of the teachers who showed up for my performances and competitions, cheering from the audience during my best moments and offering a comforting hug during my toughest times.

It’s no secret that teachers play an essential role in shaping who we become. That’s what makes the teaching profession so noble. Teachers are responsible for molding not just minds but also character and resilience in the next generation. Many of us can recall at least one educator who left an indelible mark on our lives — perhaps it was an English teacher who sparked a love for literature or a history teacher who made the past come alive.

For me, that inspiration came in a space with a different kind of energy: a room of glossy wooden floors, ballet bars, and mirrors. This was where I found not just a team of hard-working, determined individuals but also the unwavering support and guidance of a teacher who would forever change the trajectory of my life.

Standing at the back of the room, counting in eight-count intervals, is a woman with a radiant smile — Coach Bruner, my dance coach. Her influence reached far beyond the technique she taught or the routines we practiced. She is the reason I chose to become an educator. Coach Bruner’s impact on me goes beyond choreography; she believed in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself. I once used that exact line in a speech, and even now, it feels like the most accurate way to capture her influence. She didn’t just see potential — she nurtured it, cultivated it, and inspired me to do the same for others.

Her encouragement, dedication, and faith in me shaped the way I approach challenges and solidified my desire to work in education. Through her guidance, I realized the transformative power of a teacher’s belief in their students. Coach Bruner taught me that education is not only about imparting knowledge but also about empowering individuals to believe in their own capabilities. The environment she created was one of discipline, passion, and compassion — a combination that ignited my desire to follow in her footsteps and make a difference in the lives of others.

In many ways, her dance studio became my classroom for life lessons: resilience, teamwork, and the power of mentorship. I now carry those lessons with me as I prepare for my own career in education, inspired by the unwavering belief that Coach Bruner had in me. I hope to create that same sense of belonging, support, and belief for my future students.

Journey Harris is the 2024-25 national student president of Educators Rising. She is a sophomore at Tarleton State University, in Stephenville, Texas, majoring in secondary education with an emphasis on English.