Passing the Torch: How a High School Teacher Inspired Me to Pursue a Career in Teaching
During high school, Hannah Curren encountered Mr. Womack, who started as her teacher but became her mentor. Through his numerous small acts of kindness and empathy, Mr. Womack transformed Hannah's life. Today, Hannah is pursuing her studies in both Special Education and Elementary Education at WGU. She aspires to positively impact her future students in the same way that Mr. Womack affected her.
Growing up in Portola, California, was a magical experience with my family; everyone in our town knew each other. We all went to the same school, played together in the forests behind our houses, and rode our bikes all around town. However, as I entered middle and high school, the magic dwindled.
During high school, I struggled with bullying, anxiety, and depression. Mr. Womack, my high school math teacher, was the only one who saw me struggle and took action to help. He discreetly dropped a note on my desk that read, "If you need to go to the office, you can." He didn't embarrass me in front of the class, but he didn't ignore me. He made me feel comfortable enough to share why I was having a hard time, and he never made me feel like a failure for missing school. Instead, he sat with me every day that I needed it, and I passed all his classes with flying colors.
After graduating high school, teaching became my passion, and I became a tutor for kids with special needs. Now, I work as an Instructional Assistant in a Transitional Kindergarten class in Sonoma, CA. I love my job and feel lucky to work with a teacher who, like Mr. Womack, treats me as an equal and supports me personally and professionally.
Mr. Womack inspired me to be the same light for my students as he was for me. His kindness taught me to care for the whole student and make them feel safe and capable at school, no matter what may be going on otherwise.
Every day I am reminded of how impactful a teacher can be on their students. So, when I enrolled in WGU and learned of the 2022 "Pass the Torch" Scholarship Finalist
dedicated to honoring an influential teacher, I knew I would immediately write about Mr. Womack. Through my poem "The Lighthouse Keeper," I conveyed the struggles I faced during those years and the powerful impact their recognition had on me. As an elementary and special education teacher today, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to continue this legacy and positively impact my students.
It is an honor to shine light into the darkness for my students, offer them support, and help them navigate the rough seas of life. The recognition and understanding I received from my teacher were invaluable, and I hope to pass that gift on to my students.
Hear the rest of Hannah’s Poem, here.
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