Ashley Benner: The Everlasting Impact of a Teacher in My Educational Journey by Sheldon

Ashley Benner: The Everlasting Impact of a Teacher in My Educational Journey by Sheldon - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

Each student has a teacher or two who undoubtedly stained their educational journey--an influence that transcended the classroom to shape not just academic paths but personal growth too. For me, that teacher was Ashley Benner. Though her time with us was cut tragically short, her legacy still continues to inspire and guide me. Ms. Benner was more than a history teacher; she was a coach, a motivator, and the discoverer of my love for learning. Her unwavering belief in me and her unique ways of teaching stood out, making her unforgettable in my life.

There was something magical in Ms. Benner's way of bringing history true. Her lessons were more than just memorizing dates and events. She taught us not Just history as some old, distant entity but history that is a living, breathing narrative interesting enough to be closely relevant to our present. Vivid in her storytelling; she made every event, for instance, the French Revolution, civil rights movement, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, feel near and alive. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and her classroom was full of wonder.

Her greatest gift had to be the instinct she had for the potential that lay in each student, often despite themselves. One particular memory stands out as I once was approached by her after class to discuss an essay I had written. She complimented my work not because it was perfect, rather for its depth and original thought: “You have a voice,” she said. “And the world must hear it.” That short phrase planted a seed in me, which steadily grows until today. I genuinely started to believe in my ability to articulate ideas and pursue ambitious goals.

She taught more than just history. Ms. Benner had the remarkable ability to incorporate real-life lessons into her curriculum. As we talked about leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and the determination of Harriet Tubman, she focused on traits such as perseverance, compassion, and integrity. “History is loaded with ordinary folks undertaking extraordinary actions. So are our lives,” she said time and again. This outlook made me see problems, not as barriers, rather as chances for growth—a mindset that impacted how I responded to education itself as well as life.

Ms. Benner's passing felt beyond belief brief. The once animated classroom grievously lost something lively without her presence. A few days later, her family reached out to me, asking me to speak at her memorial. Initially, the request was overwhelming. As a simple student, how could I find the words to honor someone who had given me so much? But along this recognition came one moment that would allow me to reflect this belief she had in me, and pay homage to her legacy.

In front of all her family, friends, and colleagues, I felt humiliated. I talked about how Ms. Benner had taught me not only history but also how to find my voice. While I spoke, the true depth of her legacy began to dawn on me-not just in my life but for so many others whose lives have been touched by the gifts of her teaching and her kindness. It was a deeply moving experience. It made me even more grateful for her mentorship and filled me with the resolve to honor her memory with my actions and dreams.

One of the most significant lessons I learned from Ms. Benner was to practice humanity within education; that each subject, be it history or mathematics or science, should ultimately lead to the better understanding of ourselves and others. This philosophy inspired me to pursue my studies with a much deeper sense of purpose: education became less a mere training for grades or a job, and instead an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to our world.

Ms. Benner's influence has greatly shaped my dreams. Her ability to advocate for students and inspire them towards being their best has inspired me to explore how I may be able to do that for others. In every endeavor-in my personal relationships or my goals-I have sought to carry forward this legacy of kindness and empowerment.

Ashley Benner was a teacher and a change catalyst. She was more than a teacher not because she taught information or demanded excellence but because she instilled a love of learning and nurtured a belief in possibility. Her lessons were not contained in history textbooks; they were lessons about life, dreaming big, and about leaving the world a better place than we found it.

Her legacy lives on long after she is gone. In every essay I write, every problem I try to solve, and every dream I pursue, I feel her presence. To be able to deliver her eulogy took me back to the responsibility I embrace now-to honor her teachings, and pass on those lessons of kindness and curiosity to those around us. The life she lived was a testimony to the power of education and what one person can make of a life. I am endlessly grateful for my time with her and for the indelible mark she left on my path of education.