high school can be full of forgettable teachers, but every once in a while, you meet someone who completely changes how you see a subject — and even yourself.
for me, that person was mr. m, my data science teacher.
recognizing talent
from the very start, he saw potential in his students, and in me specifically. he called me the smartest in the class, showcased my projects to other teachers as if i were his protégé, and supported my ideas even when they went above and beyond the curriculum. my classmates even joked, “omg, he’s her favorite, you guys!” — and they weren’t wrong. being his favorite wasn’t just about being liked; it meant he truly understood my approach and encouraged it.
mastery & achievement
under his guidance, i finished data science ii with a 97%, which reflected not just hard work, but also the ability to think critically, analyze data, and apply python in meaningful ways. mr. m gave me the freedom to dissect datasets, hyper-annotate projects, and embed code into written reports — letting me explore and learn in ways that actually mattered to me.
encouragement meets humor
mr. m wasn’t all seriousness. his dry sense of humor made class enjoyable, even when we were buried in python code and statistical models. he had this way of delivering a one-liner that made you laugh while still getting you to think critically — a subtle genius touch.
freedom to explore & real-world impact
i wasn’t content to just complete assignments. once, i spotted errors in deltamath regression problems, compared them to desmos, and showed him the discrepancies. instead of brushing it off, he acknowledged the flaws and even adjusted the questions for the class. moments like that showed me that real learning isn’t about blindly following instructions — it’s about analyzing, questioning, and improving systems.
why he matters
mr. m didn’t just teach data science — he taught me how to trust my own skills, think critically, and push boundaries. being his favorite and finishing the class with top marks showed me that when someone recognizes your abilities and encourages your curiosity, you can achieve things that school tests can’t measure.
stepping up as a leader
for our final project, mr. m assigned us to groups, and i was honestly terrified of being the leader. i ended up in a group with two other students — though one of them basically didn’t show up and kept ignoring me (well… rip to his grade).
even so, i decided to take the chance and led the team to success.
the presentation itself was nerve-wracking: the principal came by to assess our work, and other math teachers — algebra, calculus, and trigonometry instructors — were in the room too.
despite the pressure, we nailed it, earning the highest rating: 4s across the board. the project scored around 98%, and that moment taught me that real-world success is about stepping up, staying organized, and confidently applying your skills, even under pressure.
i was happy knowing that if our project was good, the principal could see the real value of data science as a statistical math class, beyond just numbers on a page. that moment reminded me that applied skills, critical thinking, and clear communication are what truly matter — lessons school doesn’t always teach, but mr. m helped me see.
i hope data science never gets cut as a course, because it’s a developing field with real-world impact. classes like these teach more than formulas — they teach critical thinking, applied problem-solving, and how to make data meaningful. mr. m showed me just how powerful and relevant this subject can be, and why students should get the chance to explore it fully.
end note:
beyond being an incredible teacher and mentor, mr. m always made me smile — in a completely platonic, supportive way that made learning enjoyable and memorable.
even though i’m someone who’s like “f– school,” i really do miss mr. m — in a good way.
he made learning engaging, challenged me to push my limits, and showed me that intelligence isn’t just about grades or tests.
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