Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

Growing up as a product of the 70s, 80s, and 90s was anything but easy. It was a time when learning disabilities were misunderstood, and those who learned differently were often labeled as troublemakers. In an era where little was known about neurodivergence, children like me were cast aside, deemed “unruly” by teachers and “weird” by peers. I faced daily struggles—some that left invisible scars and others that manifested in bruises, both physical and emotional.

From a young age, I was seen as “different.” My teachers didn’t understand why I couldn’t focus the way other kids did, and their solution was to isolate me. I was placed in a cardboard box in hopes that I would “listen better” and stop “daydreaming.” When that failed, I was sent to the principal’s office for weekly spankings and came home with report cards filled with “U’s” for Unsatisfactory. Even my parents, relying on the word of my teachers, struggled to understand what was happening. It wasn’t until I was around eight or nine that doctors diagnosed me with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), though they were wrong. By then, the damage to my self-esteem was profound, and I felt trapped in a world that didn’t seem to have a place for me.

By the time I reached fourth grade, school had become a battleground. I endured relentless bullying from classmates while teachers turned a blind eye. I would come home covered in bruises, and when my mother finally realized what was happening, she nearly had a breakdown. Despite all of this, I held onto a deep love of learning—I just needed someone to meet me where I was instead of forcing me into an impossible mold.

Then came eighth grade—a new school, a fresh start, but the same old anxiety. I was a nervous wreck, worn down by years of being misunderstood and mistreated. Depression weighed heavily on me, and I felt hopeless. It was at this turning point that I met the teacher who would change my life: Betty Thomas.

Mrs. Thomas didn’t see me as a lost cause or a problem to be fixed. Instead of punishing me when I lashed out in frustration or shut down from fear, she did something radical—she listened. She held me when I cried, reassured me when I felt overwhelmed, and, most importantly, she took the time to teach me in a way that I could understand. She recognized that my struggles weren’t due to a lack of intelligence, but rather a need for a different approach to learning. For the first time in my academic career, I felt safe. I felt seen.

With Mrs. Thomas as my anchor, I navigated through middle and high school with a renewed sense of hope. She believed in me when no one else did, and that belief gave me the courage to believe in myself. It wasn’t until years later that I learned I was actually autistic and dyslexic all along. My brain had never been wired for traditional, cookie-cutter learning environments, and all those years of struggle had been the result of trying to fit into a system that wasn’t built for me.

Looking back now, I can see how far I’ve come. While I still have Autism, it is no longer as intense as it once was. With time, patience, and the dedication of people like Mrs. Thomas, I learned how to navigate the world in a way that works for me. Autism doesn’t have to be a limitation—it just requires a different perspective.

This experience has taught me that children with Autism or other learning differences can thrive when given the right support. They aren’t lazy, defiant, or broken. They are thinkers, dreamers, and problem-solvers who just need someone to take the time to understand them. When given the tools to succeed, autistic children are often the most driven and determined individuals in any room. The key is engagement, patience, and a willingness to meet them where they are.

For parents and teachers of neurodivergent children, my message is simple: Choose love over frustration. Stress and anxiety only hinder growth. Instead of fighting with them, fight for them. Get on their level, explain things in a way they can process, and most importantly, love them through it. We are shaping young minds, and that requires patience, kindness, and wisdom.

To Mrs. Betty Thomas, wherever you are—thank you. Your compassion changed the trajectory of my life, and I will forever be grateful for the light you shined in my darkest moments. You were more than a teacher; you were a lifeline.

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