Teachers can have the influence that can change a student’s life forever. To make an impact on an eighth grade student is quite a challenge. I base my opinion on the importance of trusting others, because of an amazing teacher who taught me how to read; and is now like a sister to me. To make a difference in my life by simply noticing my style and my struggle really touched me. I had managed to make it to the eighth grade without ever really learning how to read. As much an embarrassment as it was, my teacher – Ms. Powell after asking me to read aloud in class, noticed my hesitation and my obvious sinking in the chair. She quickly guided the reading to another student and asked me if she could take me to the nurse’s office, stating that I looked a little pale. Even though I was not sick, a voice inside told me to get up and go with her, so with my curiosity getting the best of me, I was off my chair and following her outside into the hallway. There my teacher immediately took charge, addressed my issue with reading and from that moment on, became not only my teacher, but my mentor and my best friend. That school year changed my life! I was never the type of student to stand out in a crowd. In fact, I was more like a poster on the wall. A boring poster, one that everyone saw, read, and then immediately dismissed (like those posters of the digestive tract in human biology class). That was just fine with me, I never had the confidence to make friends or the ability to keep them. Actually, I walked away from the opportunity. I always worried someone would find out that I couldn’t read and my esteem would sink even lower than imaginable. I was content being nobody. At least I always thought so, then, Ms. Powell entered the stage and played her part so well. She was the only one who ever noticed me, pushed me, and forced me to realize that I was somebody, and not just anybody, but somebody who would someday make a differ