I’m the type of student who slouches quietly in the back of class, never raises her hand, and avoids being called on. In Spanish class, a class where I’m required to speak (in a different language), I struggled...until freshman and sophomore year when Mr. Gliniecki became my Spanish teacher. Suddenly, I looked forward to Spanish class. Mr. Gliniecki made class entertaining. I played games to win candy, and he radiated a contagious energy that made his classes excited.

Starting Spanish freshman year, I barely spoke in full sentences. But Mr. Gliniecki didn’t make me feel stupid. He helped me sound out words I pronounced wrong and waited while I attempted sentences. Spanish class was kindergarten in a different language—I drew pictures on my vocabulary packets and colored for my projects.

With his wide smile and round glasses, Mr. Gliniecki exuded excitement, energy, and enthusiasm about teaching Spanish. Instead of being talked at by the teacher, I played “No Se Ayudame,” I did Kahoots, I had Spanish conversations with my friends, and if I won a game I received a Chupa Chup (a Spanish sucker).

Room 310 mimicked a pinball machine, ideas flew around the room, he asked questions and the class answered fast—no hands raised—and his exuberance made the class giddy with excitement.

Sophomore year he assigned a project where I had to write about someone I knew and their profession. I had to prepare a visual presentation to go with the write up and stand in front of the class to present it. This terrified me, but I worked hard, wrote and edited my presentation, and practiced and practiced and practiced until I could recite the presentation without notecards.

On the day of my presentation I went up to the front with everyone staring at me, hands shaking. I took a deep breath and started “ La profesión de mi padre es...”. It ended before I knew it and I rejoiced because I hadn’t completely messed it up. Before I left class that day Mr. Gliniecki strolled over, shook my hand, and said, “Thank you, Sofia. You spoke fluently and that was the best presentation today.”

No other teacher had ever said anything like that to me before. Suddenly I felt accomplished and I actually believed that I could do anything as long as I worked hard enough. Mr. Gliniecki taught me to believe in myself and to be proud when I did something right and not thankful I finished it.

Mr. Gliniecki took a silent student sitting in the back of the class and turned her into a presentation pro. He made me excited to learn, ready to raise my hand, and confident in my ability to succeed. Mr. Gliniecki transformed me from someone scared and quiet to someone who welcomes a challenge and crushes those presentations.