Unsure, scared, insecure. The three emotions nagging in my head the second I stepped into Mrs. Coraggio’s AP Spanish my junior year at Arrowhead Union High School. I was in a class full of genius seniors as a junior and all I could think about was embarrassing myself.

Little did I know this very class would be where I’d gain the confidence I lacked.

The first week of Spanish is when Mrs. Coraggio initially impacted me. It was the first time having her as my teacher yet she instantly made me feel like I had known her my whole high school career. 

“Hola Jack, ¿cómo estás?” 

I’ll never forget the way she said it. Welcoming me with a warm heart into her class that felt like home. 

It took me one week to open up to her. Previously, I had never opened up to any of my teachers as I never had a strong connection with them. But there was something different about Mrs. Coraggio. I told her how nervous I was about messing up. How I didn’t want to say something wrong because it scared me. 

She looked at me with a soft smile and said, “Jack, you can do it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, even I do!” 

It was that small affirmation that changed the way I walked into her class. 

For the rest of the year, I walked into her class with my chest up, ready for what the day would bring. With Mrs. Coraggio right by my side—as if she was a mother looking after a newborn—she made me feel safe, confident, and smart. She wasn’t just a teacher who cared about me, she was like a coach, pushing me while at the same time making me love Spanish more. 

It was from her where I gained my love for Spanish. So much so that I began listening to Spanish music to really grow my cultural awareness. It got to the point where I was recognizing the songs she played as I walked into her class.

 It always amazed me how she was able to care so much about us as students when she has her very own kids. Being a mom of multiple kids and still always being there for students is so hard and something I admire about her. It doesn’t matter if her daughter is going through the days before her graduation, one of the most important days for a family, Mrs. Coraggio was still there whenever I needed her.

Mrs. Coraggio doesn't realize how much she's impacted me. Her class is the reason I now want to pursue Spanish in college and have it be a part of my future. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Mrs. Coraggio. She has not only helped me gain confidence in speaking Spanish, she’s helped me gain confidence in myself.

So to Mrs. Coraggio, gracias for all you have done for me and gracias for being someone I will never forget.