A lot of people tend to not enjoy their high school years, and it’s understandable why. It’s a time of confusing drama and constant change in every aspect of one’s life. It’s a time where students are most susceptible to outside influences as they find for themselves a place in society. And most importantly, it’s a time where one’s individuality begins to develop as they’re forming the crucial foundations of their mindsets. Amidst such a chaotic concoction of drama, adaptation, and growth, it’s essential to have someone gently guide our paths so as to positively influence us in choosing who we want to become. And there’s no one else who better fits that description than Ms. Purcey.

We call her: “The School Mom”. When a Ellie was having a coughing fit, Ms. Purcey offered her an unopened bottle of water. When Lucas was noticeably sick, Ms. Purcey showed genuine concern for his health. When I snacked on some Cheetos in class, Ms. Purcey handed me some napkins. These little, everyday interactions don’t go unnoticed by us: she truly, truly cares about each and every one of her students, and her kindness a prime example of “show, not tell”.

However, it isn’t just her good-natured character that makes Ms. Purcey special. She’s also very passionate about the what she teaches - and it really shows. Rather than skimming through the essential topics to simply prepare us for tests, she dives deep into the subjects, explaining them thoroughly so that we understand the ins and outs of the topic, as well as being able to connect it to past or current events going on in history. If anyone asks a question or is visibly confused, she takes the time to go over things in depth. In fact, she goes over these topics so thoroughly that, by the end of the lesson, we could probably all write a 3 page article about it.

I don’t recall ever seeing Ms. Purcey ignore a raised hand or put someone down for asking a question - she makes sure that everyone feels included and understands the lessons. Her classroom is often open at lunch so that anyone could come in, and it’s no surprise that many of her students stop by for a casual chat or to ask questions about the textbook material.

Ms. Purcey’s classes are engaging and welcoming, creating a setting where all her students (including myself) aren’t afraid to express different viewpoints. She encourages thought provoking discussions within the class, and makes sure that everyone is treated with the same amount of respect no matter what their opinions are. Her classroom feels like a place where ideas are nurtured and grown freely without interference. She doesn’t impose any mindset onto her students and instead wants us to create our own conclusions and viewpoints. It’s a perfect environment to study history as well as the structure of other countries without strong bias or negative implications getting in the way.

My time in Ms. Purcey’s class will remain the most prominent in my memories. What I’ve learned in her class will undoubtedly go on to influence my choices and decisions in the future. She’s given her past and present students a passion for learning, a thirst for knowledge, and an affinity for compassion. And I know that she will do the same for her future students too.