Every person who has come into my life brought with them a gift. These gifts were not always physical- although I was never one to turn down presents. These gifts were more like lessons I learned through experience with the individuals that came and walked with me through my life. Many taught me friendship; others showed me the ways of love. However, only one person has shown me who I really am, and that person is my underclassman English teacher, Mrs. M.
             I should begin by saying that she did teach me friendship. From the first day of her class my freshman year when I sat in the front row and she quietly made a joke to me, her easy demeanor and bright smile told me she would be more of a mentor than a teacher. She also taught me love; as I grew as a student as well as a person I went to her for advice that I knew only she could give. It was as though I knew what needed to be done but I needed her to say it to me. With matters of the heart, I listened intently. With matters of the mind, I became frustrated.
             My elementary school years were spent at a small catholic school where I knew everyone. Our families were all interconnected and we all grew up together as a community. As it was a small school being in the spotlight was part of life there. If I did not do my homework or received a bad grade I always had my teachers telling me I needed to do better and work harder.
             My freshman and sophomore year were the exact opposite of any schooling I had ever received. There were so many students and although teachers knew me as an individual they also did not comment when I was falling behind. That's exactly what I did academically: Fall behind, especially in English. English had always been my favorite subject and being an only child, I loved to read. I was not having any trouble with friends but when it came to doing my schoolwork I could not motivate myself to do better. I had always been a good student, and getting low B'...