Share a story about someone who had a positive impact on your life.

Growing up, I had always struggled with social anxiety. The idea of meeting new people, going to social events, and speaking in front of groups made me nervous to the point that I would often avoid such situations altogether.

That all changed when I met Mrs. Singh. At the time, she was my middle school math teacher, but she was much more than that. Mrs. Singh was a warm, kind woman, always approachable and patient with her students. But more than that, she had a way of creating a comfortable and supportive classroom environment that made me feel safe to express myself.

One day, during class, Mrs. Singh had us work on a group project that required us to present our findings in front of the class. I was on the brink of a panic attack, but she could tell. After class, she asked me to stay behind and opened up to me about her own struggles with social anxiety.

She spoke with me about different strategies she used to manage her own anxiety and gave me some tips on how to work through it myself. She shared some personal stories with me, which made me realize that I wasn’t alone and that other people were going through similar experiences.

Mrs. Singh’s kindness and understanding helped me to slowly break out of my shell. I started to participate more in class and even became an active member of our school’s theatre program. Her support and encouragement gave me more confidence in myself and made me realize that I was capable of so much more than I had previously thought.

Years later, I reflect back on my middle school years and how Mrs. Singh positively impacted my life. Her kindness and support have stayed with me throughout my life, and I credit her for giving me the tools to overcome my anxiety and pursue my passions. I’m grateful for her presence in my life, and I will always remember her as a person who made a difference.