”One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings” (Carl Jung).

I will never forget the first time I walked into Freehold Township High School. I was an awkward, anxious freshman with no idea what the next four years would hold for me. As I went through the first day of smiles and greetings from new students and teachers, I remembered how important first impressions were. All of my teachers were friendly and welcoming, but when I got home from my first day of high school and my mom asked me about how my day went and how I liked my teachers, Mrs. Negri immediately came to mind. Mrs. Negri was my Algebra I teacher, and my mom was shocked to hear that I actually enjoyed my Math teacher for once. Math has always been a subject that I have struggled in, and one that I’ve always had to work especially hard to succeed in. But Mrs. Negri was so much more than just my math teacher. She was someone I was able to talk to during a time when I was going through a lot of anxiety, and not only did she help me academically, she helped me grow as a person. As the year went on, we grew a bond that I have never had with any other teacher. I actually enjoyed going to math class every day, and I was surprised to find myself actually enjoying the subject. She always spent extra time helping me whenever I needed it, and she would take time out of her day even after I wasn’t her student anymore to help me in my sophomore and junior math classes. I knew if I was stressing about a Geometry quiz I could go to her in the morning and she would spend time going over and reviewing with me. Mrs. Negri was only my teacher for one year, and that was three years ago now, but today we are still just as close. I still visit her whenever I get the chance, and still go to her to tell her any exciting news in my life. I asked her to write one of my recommendations for college, and when I was accepted into my number one school, I couldn’t wait to share the good news with her. Mrs. Negri stands out as one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, she is someone who taught me just as much in the classroom as outside of the classroom, and I am thankful to have someone like her in my life.