One person who really stands out to me is my high school math teacher, Mr. Wang. He was this calm and patient guy, always dressed in simple shirts, and he had a unique way of making math feel less intimidating. I remember during my second year, my grades were pretty disheartening. I was stuck in the seventies, especially with functions and solid geometry, which made me doubt my abilities.
After one particularly tough exam, I was daydreaming alone in class, feeling quite defeated. Mr. Wang noticed and came over to me. Instead of scolding me, he simply asked, "What do you think you don't understand?" That one question changed everything for me. He dedicated his lunch breaks to help me, encouraging me to keep a "mistake notebook" where I had to write down my errors and learn from them.
What really stuck with me was when my score dropped again just two months before the college entrance exam. I was ready to give up, but he drew a zigzag line on a piece of paper and explained that growth isn't always straightforward. He said, "Don't deny months of effort because of one exam." That motivated me to push through.
In the end, my math score improved significantly, and I got into my dream university. Even now, I often think back to what he taught me-not just about math, but about problem-solving and perseverance. That's why he remains one of the most influential people in my life.