We will never forget you

It's an acknowledged fact that in life people come and go.  Some leave an imprint, make you think twice, even  alter your entire perspective.  And some breeze in and out without so much as affecting a single hair on your head.  But it's the ones that change us in some way that we should be truly grateful for.

Yesterday, my favourite teacher passed away.  The term 'teacher' doesn't quite do her justice.  She was so much more than a teacher.  I was lucky enough to be able to say goodbye in person a few weeks ago, and get the opportunity to express what I felt she needed to hear from me: THANK YOU.

Thank you for leading by example.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  Thank you for putting the love back into teaching.  Thank you for never getting angry.  Thank you for showing me how and why to be a good person.  And most importantly... thank you for believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself.

I was the child who couldn't put her hand up in class, who hated presentations, who never wanted to express an opinion for fear of it being knocked down. I had next to no confidence, and severely questioned my academic abilities when it came to the 11 plus.  In response to this, she categorically stated 'if one girl is to pass that exam, it will be you.'  She knew I could do it.  She never doubted me or my abilities.  She had an unconditional faith in me.  And for this quiet unsure ten year old it made all the difference.

That was ten years ago.  Since then I've jumped out of a plane, spent seven weeks in an African village and gained more opinions than Margaret Thatcher.  And for all that I have already achieved and am yet to achieve, I hold Miss Coulter partly responsible.  Because she believed in me when I was self-doubting.  She saw my potential when I couldn't even fathom it.  Oh and taught the occasional geography lesson when my form tutor was absent.  

This is just my account.  There are hundreds more lives she touched, characters she shaped and students that will never forget her.  I will certainly never forget her lessons both in life and the classroom.  She taught me to believe in myself and my own potential.  You don't meet people this special very often and I'm fortunate just to have known her.  She set the foundations on which I am building my life today. 

May she eternally rest in peace.

Sheila Coulter will never be forgotten x