My personal appreciation for education grew the most when I began truly listening to two of the most influential people in my life discuss their thoughts on it with each other. They didn’t just talk about the importance of learning, they lived it out daily, showing me through their words and actions how much weight education truly carries. Watching the way they valued knowledge, discipline, and growth planted a deep respect in me for what education can do, both for individuals and for entire communities of people.

This change of perspective happened for me one Sunday afternoon at our local mexican restaurant that we always go to together after church. They were sitting across from me, completely lost in conversation about teaching, students, and the purpose of learning. I vividly remember realizing that I had absolutely nothing to add to this conversation, and in that moment, I didn’t want to. All I wanted to do was listen. If it wouldn’t have been weird, I would’ve pulled out a pen and paper and started taking notes right there at the table. It was then that I truly understood how much I admired not only what they knew, but how deeply they cared about passing that knowledge on to others. The way they spoke about education was different. It wasn’t just a job or a topic to discuss to them, it was something that I knew without a doubt that they cared about deeply. I remember thinking how rare that kind of passion is, and how much better our schools and students would be if more educators approached teaching the same way. That realization stuck with me, and I think about it often as I try to decide what I want my legacy to be with whatever career I decide to pursue.

That day completely changed what I want out of my own career. The perspective shift it caused in me sparked a deep desire to work in some form of education, even if I’m never a stationary teacher in a classroom. I realized that what I want most is to pour into others the way they do, to help students see their potential, to encourage curiosity, and to create spaces where learning isn’t approached as “just a requirement”.

Both of them have always put a huge emphasis on the value of reading, not just as a skill, but as a way to challenge the complacency of our thoughts, forcing us to wrestle with ideas and different perspectives, while shaping us into people who can see the world through more than one lens. At different points in their lives, they were both teachers, and it has always been clear to me that their ability to teach goes far beyond the walls of a classroom. While I sometimes feel robbed of the chance to sit in their classes as a student, I also know how fortunate I am to have them as mentors and friends. Even though a part of me is jealous of those who did get to learn from them in a formal setting, I have been blessed to learn from them in a much closer, more personal way—an opportunity that has shaped me just as much, if not more.

Both of them also work at my church, and even the way they treat the responsibilities of that job continues to impact me. They are both incredibly talented, using their God-given abilities to teach and lead with such intentionality in everything they do. Their obedience to wherever the Lord has them is something I deeply admire. They never seem to try to rush God’s timing or seek recognition, they simply serve faithfully. The way they pour into others through ministry is a form of education all its own, still rooted in a genuine desire to help people grow. What amazes me most is that even with all they have on their plates, they still make time to check in on me, spend quality time with me, and minister to me in every way they can.

Their lives have probably influenced me more than any two other people I know. They showed me that education is not just about making sure we pass students along, but that it is about shaping character, challenging people, and preparing us to serve others well. The passion they carry for learning is contagious, and it pushes me to view my own education not as an obligation, but as a gift, one that I definitely should never take for granted.

Because of their example, I carry a great appreciation for education and the impact it has across generations. Their influence has given me not only a personal desire to continue learning, but also a responsibility to help better the education system as a whole. I want to use the perspectives I’ve gained from them to ensure that future generations grow up with the same respect for learning and the same opportunities to be changed by it.

I believe they reflect the heart of what it means to educate. The influence they have had on me serves as a constant reminder that the greatest impact comes not from what you accomplish for yourself, but from how faithfully you invest in others. They have invested in me, I will never be able to thank them enough for it.