A student’s premature-college education career is a long, valuable part of his or her life that goes by way too fast no matter whose perspective it is considered from. Although it may seem the twelve-plus years of sitting in a classroom is as mundane as it sounds, the priceless experiences, invaluable life lessons, and admirable people students are exposed to make the time more than worth while. During the course of attending school, students will, if it not always, meet a special teacher or professor who teaches them more than just algebra, physics, or history. These are the rare occasions where students gain a sense of the real world that will influence their actions in the future.

As a junior currently attending Mt. Carmel High School, I can honestly say I have had many different teachers, but there is one who stands out. I am referring to my AP European Culture teacher, Mr. Lee Raskin. I was in Mr. Raskin’s class for two of the three trimesters during my sophomore year when I was taking history. Mr. Raskin is a prime example of not only a teacher, but an individual who makes a positive impact to anyone he makes contact with. From his comical actions to his serious life lectures, Mr. Raskin is able to connect to teenagers on a level deeper than just the education system. During my time in his class, I learned more than just about the two World Wars. Mr. Raskin’s class taught me extremely beneficial habits through rigorous homework schedules and test difficulties which forced me to work hard for the first time in my high school career. The substantial amount of time I had to put into the class compelled me to change my methods for the better in order to earn my grades. Furthermore, Mr. Raskin had taught me views and perspectives outside of the classroom that applied to the reality of the world. He would occasionally take the time to point out flaws within our generation and use it as an opportunity to share his experienced opinion. I always enjoyed the times when Mr. Raskin would express his feelings on a public topic and guide us as a class to consider it from all angles. I took away more than just advice he was giving; I used his influence to have an impact on the person I was becoming and who I would eventually be in the future.

This was the first time I realized that there are teachers who can do so much more for students because it is who they are and it comes easy for them. My age and maturity does have a lot to do with the realization, but it should be the responsibility of the students to do what is best for their life. Mr. Raskin was more than just a history teacher to me. Other students may not have gotten as much out of his class as I did, but I believe there is a simple reason for that. They allow the difficulty of the class to blind them from the real benefits they could be getting out of Mr. Raskin’s teachings. As a student in this country, I believe it is my duty it recognize anyone who has assisted me in not only becoming a better scholar, but also developing into a bigger person. Mr. Raskin, my history teacher of Mt. Carmel High School, has helped me become the mature, thoughtful, and competent person I am today.