April 24th by Zepplyn

April 24th by Zepplyn - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

One would think that you don’t remember your elementary school teachers. Some would think that just a few years later, their faces should be blurred and their names, mere labels. Many would even think it's insane to know the birthday of their son by heart, to text them every holiday, and to love them still now, 6 years since I sat in their classroom, as I did when I was 11 years old. I am not this one, some, or many. In fact, one of the most influential teachers in my education is a woman who hasn’t been my educator since 5th grade. Nonetheless, Mrs. Tyler Montgomery is one of the most important mentors I’ve ever had; in not only my educational journey, but in my entire life.
Now, in many senses, a lot of people can generalize why certain teachers have impacted them (they uplifted me, they helped with my home life, etc.) and there is unbelievable value in those generalizations, but I owe the domino effect of my success to two very specific interactions with Mrs. Montgomery, from which her words echo.
The first, in January of 2019, when I was cast in our school’s production of Shrek The Musical as none other than the leading, starring, titular character of… the Wicked Witch. Ensemble. I was beyond disappointed. I had wanted Fiona so bad, and nothing is crushed more than the heart of an 11 year old when they don’t get exactly what they want. Luckily, I had Mrs. Montgomery first thing, and she, having known the cast list was posted that morning, asked me who I was set to play. I told her, expecting pity, but to my utter surprise, she was excited. “Is it a good part?” I had asked, confused to why she was so supportive. “Oh of course, it’s an incredible part.” She responded, bright as she had always been. In that short moment, my entire mood changed; I stopped viewing my part as one to be pitied for, but as an opportunity. Throughout Shrek, I would adopt a deep love for theater, both onstage and behind, which I continue to foster to this day. Presently, I attend a performing arts high school as a theater major, with the intention of majoring in technical theatrics post graduation. Though small, in one short moment of emotional redirection, Mrs. Montgomery managed to not only regulate my feelings, but also give me the building blocks I needed to craft a future for myself.
The second, in March, when I was selected to do one of the coolest things I have ever done; compete on Chopped Jr. as a kid chef, take a shot at the prize money, and cook for judges on live television. I couldn’t wait. When the time rolled around for me to head to New York City for filming, my favorite teacher was nearly 8 months pregnant, prepping for maternity leave, so it was rare for us to see her in class. On this particular day, the last before I left, Mrs. Montgomery wasn’t teaching, but was at school for other reasons. At recess, she walked all the way across campus to hunt me down, tearing me away from my very, very important games of play pretend, and deliver to me the advice that would motivate me not only in the kitchen, but in every aspect of my life. She knelt down to me, placed her hand on my shoulder, looked into my eyes, and said simply “fake it till you make it.” Those 6 words, among other words of encouragement, struck something inside me that I have never been able to turn off since. At the time, and still to this day, I had never been so honored that she had come all that way, not easily I’m sure, simply to let me know that she believed in me. It meant more than she knew, then, and more than I can express, now.
Armed with a powerful mindset, I went on to get 2nd place in my competition. I was disappointed, but once again, she wasn’t. She never was. In every up and down of my life, my constant has always been the love and support of my 5th grade English teacher. From having her picture hung on my living room mantle, to having her show up to my performances in the pouring rain, to watching the live action Hamilton movie together on zoom, to attending her son’s 4th birthday party, I am infinitely blessed to have had my life touched by Mrs Montgomery. I can only hope that as I continue to grow, I am able to stay in contact with her and her constant reminders: take nothing for granted and put my all into everything, even if I don’t have my all to give. My future and my education have been permanently altered by the adages she has relayed to me, and 6 years ago, I never would've guessed that an educator like her could make me feel so loved and supported in such short interactions.
As I’ve said, many think it's insane to know a teacher’s child’s birthday by heart; but every year on April 24th, I celebrate not only her son’s growth, but also mine, as I like to think that being ‘her kid’ transcended not only being her student, but also becoming apart of her ever-growing family.