8517 Copper Ridge Avenue

Las Vegas, Nevada 89129

January 24, 2016

Dear Mr. Gelfand,

Ive decided Id like to be a teacher. Although Ive taught at different times in my adult
life, as a parent to three children and as a massage instructor to adults, I would like to focus on
teaching children, just like you did. I hope to be an inspiration and make a difference to at least
one child, just like you did. You might not remember the exact time you said something that
inspired me and changed my self-confidence, but I sure do.
We were taking a math test in 4th grade and I was one of the first to finish my test. You
graded my test while we waited for the rest of the class to finish. I scored well. You asked me if
I knew how talented I was in mathematics. I kind of laughed because I never felt I excelled in
anything, let alone math; and I thought you were kidding. You werent kidding! You told me I
was the most skilled in math in the entire class.
Well, you could have told me I won the lottery because thats exactly how I felt. By one
small, maybe insignificant comment, I went from feeling ordinary to extraordinary. Ive carried
that confidence with me my entire life, and for that I thank you. Thats the kind of difference I
hope to make for some little person, someday, too.

Warm regards,
Doina Stanciu