I was a petrified eighth grader taking a high school course (Spanish 3) at Arrowhead Union High School. My middle school teacher thought it was a good opportunity for me to advance my skills as a native speaker. 

I was nervous about going to a room full of sophomores. I thought they were going to eat me alive. But when I arrived, I was welcomed with a warm smile from Señora Psket. 

I thought I could breeze through. But I couldn’t. Señora Psket noticed I struggled and came to talk to me. I made excuses, but she told me, “Gabriela, if you keep this up, you’re not going to do well. You need help and that’s what I am here for.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I just told her, “have a good day”—but her words continued to run through my mind.

Then, she called my parents. That was embarrassing, however, I knew she really wanted to help me. I thought, I am going to be a ninth grader next year and my classes are going to be harder. Señora Psket is looking out for me; she wants me to do my best. 

Second semester, I strove to be different. I studied harder. Hours most nights. I didn’t want another embarrassing call. I knew I was capable of more than what I showed her.

I worked hard to never got anything lower than a “B”. And Señora Psket was there every step of the way. If I needed help, she would never be too busy. I remember going in once a week to work on grammar or to talk about activities for practice. Although I might have been annoying, I could see she was happy I advocated for my education.

I am thankful I got her as a teacher in eighth grade because she made me feel like she cared. 

My sister told me, “I remember when I had her as a teacher. She changed my life. Especially my learning. She taught me to express myself more especially being Hispanic.”

I am happy Señora Psket did the same for me. 

If I have never said it before, I would like to say it now. Thank you, Señora Psket, for pushing me to be the best I can be, but also for making my experience as an eighth grade student comfortable. I was so happy to have you for AP Spanish last year because I wanted to show you the impact you’ve had on me with my learning. Without you, I would not be the person I am today.