During my sophomore year, my English teacher was forced absence for maternity leave during the birth of her child. We were all very fond of her and we liked her as a teacher. The idea of having a long-term substitute teacher was not so great. As always, when one of your favorite teachers is gone, it is hard to believe you will like the substitute teacher as much as your teacher. The day I walked into class and laid eyes on my “substitute”, little did I know I was actually laying eyes on my new favorite teacher. Her name is Mrs. Munkwitz, the greatest teacher I have ever had. Right off the bat, Mrs. Munkwitz created a relationship with me, as well as my fellow classmates, like no other teacher has before. The way she could talk to us like a mother or sister figure was infectious and amazing.
There is nothing you can’t tell Mrs. Munkwitz. She is always there to listen, no matter what it is. I remember how she would keep us up to date on personal things in her life, such as when her boyfriend was going to purpose to her. It felt as if we were having a friend to friend conversation, not a teacher to student talk. Times like this are what make Mrs. Munkwitz more than a teacher to me. She is like a sister to me. As well as being a friend, she taught me the importance of literature in a way I can’t explain. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be the reader and writer I am today. For the past couple years Mrs. Munkwitz has been promoted as a full time teacher, educating students in English and World Literature, something I couldn’t be more proud to see. This year, I noticed she has been using her artistic skills to create paintings of the books her classes are reading. This is just one of the many ways Mrs. Munkwitz attracts her students to reading. There was never a day I would dread going to her class. I loved. It kills me every time I walk past her class this year because of how bad I wish I was in there, knowing I will never be in her class again now that I am graduating. All I can do now is reminisce on the great times I spent in her class learning and having fun.
I am nominated Mrs. Munkwitz for teacher of the year because she is more than just a teacher to her students. She is a friend. I can honestly guarantee I am only one of many students who are writing about Mrs. Munkwitz and I am confident she will win, and I will be happy regardless who wrote the paper because Mrs. Munkwitz deserves it.