The Idea of an Essay, Volume 3

62 The Idea of an Essay: Volume 3 the grades were a pleasant reward to the original goal, learning and enjoying Spanish actually was my real achievement. That basis for my Spanish education helped me gain a new understanding of what it meant to truly be dedicated to something. Señora Ortiz made all the difference in not only my Spanish education but in every subject and class I have taken since. She imparted on me the knowledge that hard work and dedication can achieve results worthy of being proud of. She educated me how to properly study and ask good questions. She taught me to not be embarrassed or ashamed of asking for help. What I appreciated more than the academic help from Señora was the constant example of respectful character she displayed each time I met with her. She showed kindness and gentleness every time I visited and asked her questions. She demonstrated extraordinary patience when it took multiple tries for me to understand a new, or even old, concept. She trained me to practice humility and generosity to others if they were in need of help like I was when I first began. At the end of that year, I had learned so much more than just a basic introduction to Spanish. I was exposed to the results of hard work and dedication. This work ethic that Señora established in me carries out to every project and class I take on today. When I enter into a challenging course like chemistry or calculus, there is, in a sense, a whole new language that must be learned. If I begin falling further and further behind and feel like there is no way to catch up, I simply think back to freshman year and all the hours I spent with Señora in that little Lingo Lab. Those hours of frustration and elation, spent with a dedicated and loving teacher, taught me more than I ever could have asked for when enrolling in that required Spanish I class.