My favourite school teacher was Mrs. Sibanda, my iconic math fifth-grade teacher. She was a short, plump woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. She was always patient and understanding and made learning fun.

I remember one time when I was struggling in math. I was so frustrated that I wanted to give up, but Mrs. Sibanda didn’t give up on me. She stayed after school with me every day to help me understand the concepts. She was patient and encouraging and never made me feel stupid.

Eventually, I started to understand the material, and my grades improved. I was so grateful to Mrs. Sibanda for her help and support. She showed me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. In addition to being a great teacher, Mrs. Sibanda was also a role model. She was always kind and compassionate, and she treated everyone with respect. She taught us the importance of hard work, perseverance, and kindness. One of the things I loved most about Mrs Sibanda was her sense of humour. She always knew how to make us laugh, even when we were feeling stressed. She made learning fun and created a classroom environment where we felt loved and supported. Mrs Sibanda’s impact on my life went beyond the classroom. She was also a role model and a mentor. She taught me valuable life lessons that I still carry with me today.

Mrs Sibanda loved morning affirmations. She believed that “a perfect day begins with a motivational affirmation.” those words will forever be repeated in my head. Her affirmations worked wonders if you had low self-esteem, you were having a bad day, and you were feeling less energetic. The affirmations were like a cup of coffee to a workaholic. She carried herself in confidence, and her aura was magnetic. She was a person who everyone looked up to the most. The best characteristic about her is that she was always her goofy, loud and humourful self.

One of the most important lessons that Mrs. Sibanda taught me is “You can achieve anything you set your mind on, no matter how difficult it seems”. I remember one time when I was trying out for the school play. I was really nervous, but Mrs. Sibanda encouraged me to go for it. She told me that I was talented and that I had a good chance of making it. I ended up getting a part in the play, and I had a wonderful time. I’m so grateful to Mrs. Sibanda for believing in me and encouraging me to follow my dreams.

Mrs. Sibanda also taught me the importance of kindness and compassion. She always treated everyone with respect, and she taught us to do the same. “It’s important to be kind to others, even if they’re different from you.” She would reassure us every morning. One time, there was a new student in our class who was from a different country. He didn’t speak English very well, and he was having a hard time making friends. Mrs Sibanda took him under her wing and helped him to adjust to his new life. She made sure that he felt welcome and included in our class. She also helped him to learn English and to make friends, and that beautiful quality stuck with me till now.

I’m so grateful to Mrs. Sibanda for all of her help and support. She was a truly great teacher, and she made a real difference in my life.