Today was a prime example as to why Frau Zanella is the biggest inspiration in my life and my favorite teacher in the building. This woman loves every student like her own child and will do anything in order to help them. I personally know this as she was the only person in the building there for me during my incident with the police. She is a straight shooter and will tell you like it is. She knows everything and can give a piece of advice for every scenario given. She is always right and knows what is best. I'll never question her advice or decisions. It seems to me like she is a flawless individual. I first want to talk about what she has done for me in life before I go on about what she did today though.
I first met Frau on my way to Germany after my sophomore year. I had yet to be acquainted with her but I was going to be one of her students the following school year. From the get go I already loved her. She was funny, easy to get along with, and already cared for us (kids she had yet to even meet) like her own. She wanted us to have a fantastic time in this foreign country. This is where our relationship started. Frau appreciated my love for Germany. I will say this with full confidence I got the absolute most out of my trip more than anyone else there. I tried restaurants, different foods, spoke to natives, and made new friends from other schools within our group. Frau and I had conversations every day about various topics. In Germany she didn't seem like a teacher to me. She seemed like one of my friends I have known for years. She is just that kind of person you can hit it off with that easily. After the end of the trip, she told me I was different from most kids in the world and I was going to be president. I just kind of laughed at it, but it warmed me up inside.
Junior year was my first full year with Frau. It was a difficult year, but it was the year I learned more about life than any other year. This was all due to Frau. This woman wants the best out of everyone and knows their true potential. She gave us the most inspirational speeches that have given me tremendous help throughout my decisions in high school. Junior year was also the year I decided to pursue German in college. I owed this woman so much during my junior year just for her speaking. It wasn't until senior year I can officially call her one of my best friends.
For my senior year I decided to take the 4th level of German. I knew this class would be rigorous, and I also knew that it was the only way to get another year with Frau. I knew I would need her for senior year. I even was able to sign up for a study hall in her classroom when she has a German 3 class where I help her grade papers and do various work for her. It is the least I can do for her. She has saved my tail more than once. There is one main moment that completely changed the way the I looked at Frau. This is not negative if that is what you're thinking. It is the transition of her becoming a great teacher to my biggest inspiration.
When I was caught drinking on school property, I was not afraid of my dad, my mom, Eryne, or the administration. I was terrified of what Frau would think of me. It brought me to tears thinking of what she was thinking. I felt like the ultimate failure and didn't deserve to be loved like the rest of her students. The next morning, I was advised to email my teachers to make them aware of my absence. She was the first to reply and her letter back brought tears to me. She informed me that she knew I was still a terrific young man and that she has faith I will get through everything. While reading this I absolutely broke down. It felt like the heavies weight was taken off my shoulders and everything was going to be okay. I was no longer afraid of anything. I returned to school for a 3 day in school suspension and Frau visited me on her free period. She talked to me and I just listened. And cried. She told me I was special and different from everyone else. She said in all her years of teaching she never met a person like me. Someone so spirited, able to rally the whole student body, and always optimistic. She ended our long conversation with a hug where I was still bawling my eyes out. That was exactly what I needed. I made a goal to never disappoint her again. I do not believe I have yet, and I refuse to ever again. I could never hurt her like I feel like I did before. She is too important of a person in my life.
Today, I sat through a speech Frau gave to German 3. It was about how serious dating violence is and told us about her personal life. She told us not to put up with anything. Never put up with swearing. Never stay with someone when you are mistreated once because it will only get worse. She believes that your significant other should feel lucky to have you and you should feel lucky to have them. Fortunately enough for me, I have that. Frau talked a lot more about how serious it was but I started to think in the middle. I can think of a scenario for one of my friends in each topic she made. It made me realize how unhealthy a lot of relationships are. I felt bad for all my friends who suffered for a long time where they should have escaped the pain a long time ago. Frau has that power. She can make you think a ton. A good kind of thinking that will better yourself when you figure everything else. She is a woman I am going to think about in college, and cry because I won't be seeing her every single day. After everything we have been through, I can say she is one of my best friends.
Although I will not be running for president, I will do whatever it takes to make Frau proud. Her opinions means more to me than that of my own family. I don't know why, but every time I make a decision I think what Frau would have to say about it. As much as she has done for me I feel the need to make her proud to say she taught me. I received one strike and I'm not allowing myself to get to two. Everyone deserves to have a Frau in their life. A lot of us are just lucky that we have THE REAL FRAU.
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