Mrs. Outlaw,

I’m not sure if you remember me, but you were my 6^th grade teacher. You were the very first teacher that made me feel like I was more than just a student. You actually seemed to be concern with my future. I remember a few weeks before the end of grade test you gave us this speech about how you expected us to do well on the test. After class, I came up and asked you what you wanted me to score on the test. You told me that you wanted to me to score in the 90^th percentile because you knew that I was capable. I told you that I would.

The week after we had the conversation, I got into a fight in your class. I knew you were disappointed in me, which made me even more determined to do my best on the EOG. When we got the test scores back, you were standing at the front of the class with Ms. Cowan. You looked in my direction and said “you got a 97”. I didn’t think you were talking to me because there were several other “smart” kids sitting in my vicinity. So I just sat there waiting on you guys to pass out the test results. When you got to my desk you said it again, “you scored in the 97^th percentile”. You were so happy for me, I didn’t understand what it meant initially, but I knew you were proud and I felt like I’d redeemed myself with you.

A few years later, my little cousin had you as a teacher and she said that you were still telling your students about me and how I had done what you asked me to. I don’t know if you’ll see this or even if you’re still telling your students about me, but THANK YOU! You’re one of the few teachers that actually inspired me to learn. Thank you for not allowing my mistake of fighting in your class cause you to look at me differently. Far too often people are remembered for their mistakes and not their accomplishments. I’m thankful that wasn’t the case with you. I think you’ll be happy to know that it’s because of you that I started taking my education seriously. I realized school was not a social hour, or a boxing ring for that matter, but it was an opportunity to learn. In May 2007, I graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelors of Business Administration (If I remember correctly you’re an *ahem* Aggie LOL) and I’m currently preparing for graduate school in the fall.

Again, I would just like to say THANK YOU! It was because of you that I made up my mind to not only graduate from high school, but college as well. I will never forget how you inspired me and if you never reach another student, just know that this one was definitely listening and you certainly got through to me. I’m not in Goldsboro often, but if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

Rachelle Townsend

PS- If anyone reading this knows Mrs. Erma Outlaw, please give her a hug for me and tell her I said THANK YOU!