The teacher who had the most impact on me throughout my K-12 educational career was my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Collins had one particular trait that I will incorporate into my classroom. This trait was her ability to encourage and have faith in her students. I believe this trait is imperative in a teacher's success.
             When I was in elementary school many classrooms consisted of kids who were grouped by their performance. There were the lower performing students (who we were labeled "Emotionally Handicapped", "Learning Disabled", etc.), the mediocre performing students (the regular kids) and students who performed well (the "smarter" students). Instead of focusing only on the students that performed mediocre or well, Mrs. Collins actually implemented lesson plans, which required the interaction of all students. She concentrated on encouraging ALL students to do their work to the best of their ability. She never told students that they could not achieve success, or that they were incapable of success. She told us that if we really wanted it we could have it, no matter what it was. Her attitude and behavior were consistent with that train of thought. She treated every student respectfully and equally, which resulted in better behavior and better work product from those students who were labeled with the expectation that they would not do so well.
             Although Mrs. Collins never taught again, after my fourth grade year in elementary school, she left a lasting impression on how constant encouragement and a genuine belief in students can be beneficial to them. By example, she demonstrated how effective the traits of encouragement and belief operate in students' success.
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