March 2020

in·spi·ra·tion
/ˌinspəˈrāSH(ə)n/
By: Faith Crosby

Inspiration comes in many forms. Heroes, elders, relatives, survivors, coworkers, authority figures, and people who rose to success are all commonly noted inspirations. Whether it is someone’s own story, or the way they touched someone else’s story, inspirations make a difference in all the lives they touch.

Impactful and instructive, the female educators in my life are some of the most inspiring women I know. Educators can range from formal teachers, mentors, elders, peers, and more. The many educators in my life took on more than one form, but the three most inspiring and influential women in my life were my teachers. These teachers are the primary reason why I am the woman that I am today. My kindergarten teacher, a Black woman, deserves some of the most praise though. Because of her care and dedication to my, and other students’, learning and growth, I was able to skip a grade. Her insistence on my education groomed the basis for the student that I became in middle school, throughout high school, and most importantly now in college. Because of her, I have never doubted my intelligence, my aptitude, or my capabilities. The next educator in my life was my dance instructor of 10 years. Another Black woman who taught me poise, grace, and persistence. Without her, I wouldn’t walk with the same confidence, stand with the same pride, or work with the same endurance that I have today. To this day, people compliment me on qualities that I can only attribute to her hand in my life. My final inspiring educator is my mother. A woman who sacrificed 16 years of her professional career to raise myself and my brother properly. A woman who ran a business and homeschooled her children simultaneously. A woman who valued education and instilled that same value in me. A woman who defines hard work, faith, and selflessness. Because of her, I am aware of my strength and my abilities. All of these women have inspired me because of their everlasting impact on the people around them.

These women inspired me to become a teacher and to give forward in one of the best possible ways: educating, guiding, and preparing those who will come after. These women did not choose a selfish path of personal gain, but a selfless path towards bettering those entrusted in their care. My hope is that one day, someone will look back on the impact that I had in their life, and feel the same inspiration that I feel by the women who shaped me.