It was the last day of fourth grade. The sun shone through the windows and landed on our faces, as we all stood facing the clock counting down the final minutes of the school year. The bell sounded, and although an obvious rush of excitement swept its way across the room, there was an underlying sense of sadness. None of us wanted to leave our amazing teacher behind: Mrs. Kerry Mallow.

To me and many other students, Mrs. Mallow was more than just an elementary school teacher. She played a bigger role in our lives than simply teaching long division or taking our class on field trips. She was the reason behind our interest in school, as well as our blossoming personalities.
She encouraged learning in a fun, open environment and made normally dull educational topics exciting and intriguing to all students. When Mrs. Mallow taught, her passion for kids and her job was the first thing anyone would notice. She smiled as she wrote on the board, and she never hesitated to help a student with a problem of any kind. Her enthusiasm and her knowledge caused us to feel more than comfortable in her classroom; we knew Mrs. Mallow worked for our benefit and not just her paycheck.

Mrs. Mallow knows she is a role model to students and coworkers alike, and she plays the part perfectly. She is the embodiment of a leader and sets an everlasting example of respect and dedication for her current students and students of years past. She treats everyone with kindness and compassion and is always willing to give a few words of advice. Most importantly, she believes in herself as a teacher and in turn her students learn to believe in themselves.

Although it has been years since I sat in desk in her classroom, ready for another promising day, Mrs. Mallow continues to affect me in a very meaningful way. In the summer, she often walks past my house, and even on the hottest of days, she always stops by the end of my driveway just to chat. In return, when I get the chance, I like to stop by to visit her after school lets out just to say hi and fill her in on the latest news in my life. Although our visits may be few and far between, they always make for memorable moments and I hope they brighten her day as much as they have forever brightened mine.

As I approach my final year of high school, I can’t help but look back and reminisce about my days as an elementary student. I feel lucky for having had such an unforgettable childhood and thankful for the people that were a part of it. Mrs. Mallow has always been more than an educator to me. I look up to her as both a teacher and a friend, and I am so blessed to have her as a part of my life.