The educator in my life that stands out most is my 7th grade English teacher. Although I remember a few of the novels we read, what I remember most was her smile, her laugh, and knowing that she genuinely cared about me. As an educator myself, I know how much more difficult it can be to make deeper connections with Middle and High School students because you only have them in class for less than an hour a day, and in Middle School, in many places, students are only in the building for 2 years before they move up to high school. 26-years later, we are friends on Facebook. We bond over our families and our careers. I think of the impact she has had on me every time I work with a student.