National Honor Society essay topic was ME?!

Last week, a former student, now a high school freshman, sent me an essay she needed to write for her application to the National Honor Society. The writing prompt read, “Who has been the most influential person in my life and how have they affected me?”

To say I was humbed and honored is an understatement. I sent her and her mom an “I’m not crying/you’re crying” GIF afterward.

Many of my students come my way by acquaintance; this student was in our families homeschool co-op when she was an elementary kiddo. When her family reached out to me for tutoring, they’d not been in our co-op for a couple years. I’m always grateful when I get to work with families I have done life with at one time or another, it’s a fun way to have families grow up alongside mine.

Working with her was always filled with laughter, I think we both genuinely enjoyed out time together, most of the time. Then there were the hard sessions where concepts were difficult or guessing was being leaned on. Though they were hard, we both dug deep. And the next session would come and we’d conquer the concept. Always knowing that digging in produced what we needed to get the material solid.

Post testing, aka “showing off” was particularly nerve wracking for her, as it is many. We review the flashcards, rule pages and play review games, then it’s time to shine. BUT I’m not allowed to help, they have to stand on their own to demonstrate their knowledge. And this young lady SHOWED UP big time to do so at the end of each book. But, it wasn’t her favorite and she tended to stress/overthink. Despite that, she was successful book after book. I always hoped her confidence was built a bit more after each accomplishment. A nomination to The National Honor Society can also build confidence. I believe this young lady is going places!

I’m so grateful to have been a part of her journey and priviledged to do the work I do each day!