Teacher Appreciation Week

Teachers—they’ll say a few words that will forever change the trajectory of your life. During my winter break during freshman year of college, I stopped by my old high school. I ran into Ms. Gareau, and she asked me if I was thinking about reapplying to RISD. She remembered how I had been rejected and how down I had been about it. I told her that applying as a transfer student was in the back of my mind. “Well, if it’s in the back of your mind, maybe it should be in the front of your mind.” She turned and walked away, not saying another word. She didn’t need to—those words stayed with me. They gave me the push I needed to be brave enough to put in another application. And after I graduated RISD, I’ve kept them as a mantra. Ms. Gareau never did mince words and thank God she didn’t. Thank you, Charlotte. And Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of those who hand down their wisdom.