The Teacher I Became Because of My Mother

Six years ago, I lost my mother to breast cancer. During her years working, she was a substitute teacher, but in my heart, she was so much more—she was the teacher she never officially became. Her influence on my life and career has been profound, shaping the teacher I am today.

Growing up, I watched my mother step into classrooms with a natural ease, filling in for teachers who needed a day off. She had a way of connecting with students that went beyond the typical expectations for a substitute. It was as if she could see each child’s potential, and she made it her mission to draw it out, even if only for a day. She had the patience of a seasoned educator and the compassion of someone who understood the unique challenges every child faces.

My mother never pursued a full-time teaching career, and I often wonder what might have been if she had. But in many ways, she taught me more about teaching than any degree program or professional development course ever could. She showed me that teaching isn’t just about delivering lessons—it’s about seeing each student as an individual, understanding their needs, and nurturing their growth in ways that go beyond academics.

When I decided to become a teacher, it wasn’t a decision made lightly. It was a calling, one that I believe my mother passed down to me. Every day I walk into my classroom, I carry with me the lessons she taught me—lessons of patience, kindness, and the importance of making each child feel valued. My approach to teaching, especially in special education, is rooted in the belief that every child deserves a chance to succeed, a belief that was instilled in me by my mother.

Though she’s no longer here, her influence is present in every lesson I teach, every student I encourage, and every success story that comes from my classroom. I like to think that in some way, I’m living out the teaching career she never had the chance to pursue. My mother may not have been a teacher in the traditional sense, but she was, without a doubt, the most important teacher in my life.

As I continue my journey as an educator, I strive to honor her memory by being the kind of teacher she would have been—compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to the success of every student who crosses my path. In doing so, I hope to pass on the legacy she left me, inspiring others to see the profound impact teachers have, whether in the classroom or through the lives they touch.