A Tribute to Teachers from Members of the 7 Mindsets Team
When asked to write a short piece about a teacher who inspired them growing up, members of our 7 Mindsets team shared the stories below. Both heartfelt and powerful, these stories illustrate the positive impact and influence that teachers have on their students. And we hope these stories remind each of us that leading with purpose, building meaningful connections, and showing up with care can transform young people’s lives.
“Ms. Sue Ann Webb was my second-grade teacher in 1995, and somehow, more than 30 years later, she is still one of the most important people in my life. I was part of her very first class, and even then, she was everything a great teacher should be. Her classroom felt like a place where you belonged the moment you walked in. It was bright and full of creativity and fun bulletin boards.
“She had a way of balancing structure with fun. We were always creating something, exploring new ideas, and building skills without even realizing how much we were learning. So many of those moments stuck with me that when I became a teacher myself, I found myself recreating her lessons and activities for my own students. I even searched out the same bulletin board sets because I wanted my classroom to feel the way hers did, warm and welcoming.
“Ms. Webb has always believed in her students. She pushes them to build strong foundations and holds them to high expectations, but she does it with care and heart. What amazes me most is that she is still teaching today, in the very same classroom where I once sat as a second grader.
“Our relationship has grown far beyond the classroom. We frequently text each other to just say hi and make sure everything is okay. Every year when I go home for Christmas, I spend Christmas Eve with her. We share lunch, reminisce about old memories, and talk about life. What started as a teacher student relationship has turned into a lasting friendship that I deeply cherish.
“She helped shape who I am, both as a person and as an educator. Every student deserves a teacher like Ms. Webb, someone who sees them, believes in them, and creates a space where they can thrive. I will always be grateful for her guidance, her example, and most of all, her friendship.”
—Andrew Chismar, Customer Success Manager
“Mrs. Rooney was my third-grade teacher, and she made a lasting impact on my life. Every day after lunch, she would gather us in the reading circle and read to us. She was tough, but the moment she began a story, she came alive as the narrator, bringing every character and moment to life—especially in the Roald Dahl books she loved to share.
“Growing up, I wasn’t often read to, so that time meant more to me than she probably ever knew. It became something I looked forward to every day. Because of her, I learned to love books.
“Now, I find myself wanting to create those same moments for my niece, Lil Lauryn. Stories became an outlet for me—especially growing up with limited resources and struggling with language. They opened doors, sparked my imagination, and gave me something to hold onto. Mrs. Rooney’s impact has stayed with me all these years. I will never forget her.”
—Miosotys Nunez, Education Content Developer
“A teacher who inspired me growing up was Mrs. Lisinski. I struggled with reading and writing for much of my early school years, lacking confidence in my abilities. In 6th grade, my parents introduced me to Mrs. Lisinski as a tutor, and she completely changed how I approached learning. She helped me understand how I process information and taught me helpful strategies for breaking down texts, organizing my thoughts, and writing essays. These skills went beyond reading and writing and helped me succeed across all subjects. Her impact has had a lasting influence on me, from when I taught middle school English to how I support the students I tutor today. Without her guidance, I don’t believe I would have been as successful in my academic journey and beyond.”
—Jonathan Sims, Education Content Developer
“The teacher who most inspired me most growing up is also the teacher who taught me how to write: my tenth-grade English teacher. Mrs. Coghlan was a tough teacher who assigned challenging books (think An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser) and expected her 15-year-old students to write thoughtful, well-organized essays about these books. At the start of the year, I failed miserably, getting C’s and D’s on my papers. But with her guidance around developing a strong five-paragraph essay and her belief in me that I could be a better writer, I ended the year with A’s. More importantly than the grades, though, I gained invaluable writing skills in her class that supported me through college (as an English major and History minor) and graduate school (in Education), and that continue to influence my personal and professional writing. I am forever grateful both for the skills she taught me and the faith that she had in me to succeed.”
—Lynne Eddis, Marketing Director
Thank you, teachers!
