The Mrs. Thompson Effect by John

The Mrs. Thompson Effect by John - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Chemistry was never my strong suit. The elemental equations were like a loop around a maze, and every quiz chipped my inner confidence. That was until I met my 10th-grade Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Thompson. She was a teacher who helped me understand not only chemistry lessons but also taught me to believe in my ability to conquer chemistry altogether. Mrs. Thompson always made a way of making the complexities in chemistry into a clear explanation, and together with engaging activities that transformed the concept into relatable ideas. Her teaching ability was comparable to that of a storyteller.
When entering the classroom, the Chemical reactions weren't just formulas you memorize; it was like watching a drama unfold on a stage. The passion she had for chemistry and her care for students interested me. Noticing her teaching style was just my first step toward my change; instead, what changed me was her faith in my success. I remember feeling my confidence shattered like glass when I bombed my quiz. My mind set on a scold from the teacher, but instead, she stepped me aside after class, handed me a piece of paper, and said, " Let's start from zero and show me what you know."
Through step-by-step exercises, she helped me understand the steps that I'd have been missing. "You're not bad at this," she said, with care in her tone. She showed me to be more confident with my work. " Mistakes are bound to happen; when they do, they are just stepping stones towards success." I called this the "Thompson Effect."
Her words completely changed how I viewed failure. Suddenly, a mistake wasn't a dead end - it was like a clue on a puzzle guiding me to the answer. Whether it was fumbling a quiz on equilibrium or battling a challenging homework problem, I began to see errors as part of a journey, like wheat guiding me toward making bread. Her words helped me gain confidence, gaining my ability to have confidence in myself. Mrs. Thompson didn't stop there. She made it her mission to draw out my comfort zone.
During labs, she paired me with confident and encouraging students, pushing me to take the lead during the experiments and shine among other capable students. She'll call on me to answer questions during the lessons to show me that I can stand on both feet and not embarrass myself. Every question I answered kept my confidence growing little by little. By the time I knew it, I was answering and asking questions, knowing that even if I made a mistake, I could correct it. This helped build a sturdy foundation.
Ending the year, I once viewed chemistry as a fear turned into my proudest achievement. More importantly, I found the confidence that I once lost. Through the"The Thompson effect". She didn't just teach me how to balance equations; she taught me how to believe in myself. Thanks to her, I learned that the most significant reactions don't always happen in the test tubes but when someone believes in you until you believe in yourself.