Letter to Author Prep: The Teacher Who Changed My Life

1. "A formidable, solidly built woman with salt-and-pepper hair, a steely eye and a flat Boston accent, Miss Hurd had no patience with layabouts" (401). This passage from the text reminds me of my favorite teacher Mrs. Tubbs. As I wasfirst reading this story, I realized  that Miss Hurd and Mrs. Tubbs are very similar. First thing that caught my attention was the fact that Mrs. Tubbs just like Miss Hurd, is  from  the east coast. Also, both of them are stern teachers and don't like idle students. Mrs.Tubbs would be strict with the rules but also  always made the lessons very fun. She was a firm believer of the concept that hard work always pays off. A concept in which I   believe Miss Hurd would also agree with.

2. "Soon I asked the principal to transfer me to her English class as well. There, she drilled us on grammar until I finally began to     understand the logic and structure of the English language" (401). Likewise this passage reminds me so much of Mrs. Tubbs style of  teaching. She made me understand and love math and science so much that I wanted to take both her math and science courses every year that I was in middle school. A lot of work was involved in her lessons but her main goal for her students was for us to fully understand the subjects. For those students who took both her science and math classes, she was also able to combine both subjects in her lessons so that the concepts always went hand in hand. Her projects were always the best.

Questions for the Author

1. How did you feel about the fact that you were placed in a special needs class when you first arrived in America?

2. What were your first impressions of Miss Hurd?

3. Before accidently joining the Newspaper Club in school, how much did you really enjoy writing?

4. What were your thoughts and feelings on your first day of school?

5. Since the coming of spring season reminds you of your mother, what reminds you of Miss Hurd? Why?

Name 2

Similar Experience

We all have that special teacher that has a great impact on our lives. They possess a special "something" that caused you to change in some way, shape, or form. For most children, Math can be an intimidating and difficult subject to understand. I used to be one of those studentsuntil my view on math changed thanks to Mrs. Tbbs. Michelle Tubbs was that one specialteacher for me. She was my math and   science teacher all throughout middle school. Her love forteaching math and science help me better understand those certain subjects. She showed me that math was not so difficult and I was able to fully understand it. I began to love math and sciencebecause  of the way she taught it. Her classes were always fun and project-based. That appealed  to me very much. Also, when I found out she    was the director of the MESA club, which was amath and science afterschool club, I quickly joined it. Every year, I requested to     e in her math  and science classes. She became my favorite teacher and anytime I needed help she was always there for me. At   my middle school promotion, Mrs. Tubbs presented me with the award for bestmath and science student and also dedicated a speech to me. I will never forget her and all thatshe did for me.