How one teacher ignited my passion to read by Kylee

How one teacher ignited my passion to read by Kylee - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

When I started school I struggled with ADD (Attention Deficity Disorder). Having ADD made it difficult for me to concentrate, especially to read books. That all changed in Mrs. Tate's class in 5th grade. One day she asked me what I was reading lately and I told her I wasn't reading anything. She said if I wanted to read something I should read the Harry Potter series in the school library. She said she thought I might like them. The next library trip we made I asked the librarian about the series and she told me she didn't have the 1st book in the series but she had the 2nd book if I wanted to start with that one. I told her I would think about it. I thought about it overnight and decided to check it out the next day. I started reading it and immediatley fell in love with the series. I finished the book in 2 days! I couldn't believe it! I read it every chance I had because it was so magical to believe that their was a world where wizards and magical beings could exist not just in my head but in a book. It was the first book I had ever read for enjoyment and in that short of time.
I was so excited to tell Mrs. Tate that I absolutely loved the Harry Potter book and that I completed it in 2 days. She was so happy for me and offered me the third book to the series to start reading from her classroom. I immediately started reading the third series and continued to not be able to put it down and read it every chance I had at school and home.
My mom noticed the change in me and my new hobby of reading. She was very pleased to see me so captured by the books and reading that she began taking me weekly to Books a Million. It opened up my mind to see all of the books I wanted to read after I finished the Harry Potter series. I continued to read the Harry Potter books that I checked out every 2 days from my school library and the public library until the end. I loved it so much. My parents saw such a huge positive change in me from reading. They noticed I had improved; focus, vocabulary and spelling, grades, and I was more consistent in completing my homework and house chores in order to have time to read.
Mrs. Tate ignited my passion to read and I have never stopped. It truly has made me a better person and a better student. It has allowed me to learn and use my imagination more than I ever could have imagined. I am thankful for Mrs. Tate igniting the passion I never knew I had and needed for my life and to overcome my ADD.