Power Writing: The Influence of a Great Teacher

There have been many people that have influenced me throughout my life, but if I had to choose the most significant, I would pick Suzanne Graft. I believe Mrs. Graft influenced me the most because of her relationship she had with me, her relationship with people in general and her attitude and experiences at the end of her life.
I first met Mrs. Graft in the fall of 2004. I had just moved to Minnesota from a small town in Ohio and was not adjusting very well. Mr. Graft was my fifth grade teacher; my first teacher in the Wayzata School District. More than anyone, Mrs. Graft helped me make the transition from a small school to Wayzata; the big time. She made me feel as though I was no different than the rest of the kids in the class and had known each of them since kindergarten. She introduced me to my first friends; friends I still have today. Mrs. Graft also influenced my academic success. She helped me through the gaps between Ohio and Minnesota curriculum and soon enough I was at the top of the class. She had a way of making me feel like I was her best friend and that she would always be there for me. Even when I moved on to middle school, she continued to stand by me. When I moved here, I was sure I was going to hate it, but Mrs. Graft changed that.
Side from Mrs. Graft's relationship with me, her relationship with other students, parents and other people in general was also inspiring. I'm sure she had the same affect on the rest of the school that she did on me. Even kids who weren't in her class found themselves opening up to Mrs. Graft. Her quirky personality made her easy to relate to and her fun, hip style drew kids in. In Mrs. Graft's eyes, no student was better than another. She made us all feel special and like we had her full attention at all times. Toward the end of fifth grade and on through middle school, I realized that Mrs. Graft was exactly the kind of person that I wanted to be. Open, honest, and caring towards everyone; impossible not to love.
In October of 2009, I was heartbroken to find out that Mrs. Graft had been diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. She lived for three months after her diagnosis. During these months, her outlook on life never changed. She was the same old Suzanne that everyone knew and loved. She continued to inspire me and everyone else around her. In January, she wrote me a note, just like the ones she gave me in fifth grade, that made me remember why she was so special to me in the place. When her time was up, hundreds of past students and their families gathered to support the Graft family. She meant a lot to many people and at the funeral, we all came to realize that she had the same affect on all of us. Mrs. Graft made us feel loved and special. She made us believe that anything was possible if you put forth a little effort. Overall, Mrs. Graft made life fun. She was such a giving person. It was hard to see her go at such a young age, but she lived her life to the fullest and she had said, she was ready to go.
"She was ready to go." This statement is what inspired me the most. Mrs. Graft lived her life to the fullest every day. She was surrounded by people she loved and who loved her back. She achieved her life goals and ambitions. Because of this, a long life wasn't necessary. She had served her purpose. As one elementary student said after Mrs. Graft passed away, "The kids in heaven must have needed a really good teacher." Her influence on me was profound and I strive every day to live life to the fullest, spend time with the people I love, and live like Mrs. Graft.