Someone once said some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and

we are never, ever the same. This quote accurately describes my Physics teacher, Leslie Salazar. I first walked into this wonderful womans life when I stepped into her AP Physics B class on the first day of my junior year. Instead of being welcomed into the class by the stereotypical, middle-aged physics teacher like I had imagined, I actually saw a fresh out of college, feisty, Filipino woman who had both a love for children and science. Since I was greeted with her first words, Hi everyone, my name is Ms. Salazar and welcome to Hell! I can honestly say my life has changed for the better. Just as physics is not like most sciences, Ms. Salazar is not like most teachers. Admittedly, I was not too fond of physics when I first took the class. In the beginning, I lacked an understanding for the subject, and nearly walked out in tears after every class. Thankfully Ms. Salazar noticed this, and with open arms, offered to tutor me for an hour after school every day. I took her offer, and for the entirety of my junior year, I spent the majority of afternoons in her classroom. She not only took the time to explain what I needed to know, but she also made sure I understood the why of subject. There were days where I just could not understand what was going and tears of frustration would stream down my face. Fortunately for me, Ms. Salazar was determined to make sure I had some understanding, and stayed with me as she wiped the tears and pulled me on. Ms. Salazar taught me not only physics, but with time and dedication, I can do anything if I set my mind to it. Yet, I wouldnt look at Ms. Salazar as just my teacher. I looked at her like she was my older sister, actually as everyones older sister. Aside from teaching physics, her shoulder was always there to cry on and her ears were always there for listening. I was going through a difficult time during my junior year, and she was always there to listen to me despite the amounts of papers she had to grade and work to do. And I wasnt the only person she was there for; she made herself available to all her students with open arms who needed someone to talk to. Because Ms. Salazar played the role of a best friend everyone should have, on top of being a teacher, I learned how to be more selfless, to give grace to those whose stories I didnt know, and how to be a better friend. This year, I am now in her AP Physics C class, and on top of that, I also tutor a few of her struggling AP Physics B students. It is thanks to Ms. Salazar and her determination to make me not only a better student, but also a better person. It also because of her I have found a passion for both learning and teaching Physics, and I have come to the realization that it is what I want to do for the rest of my life. It is safe to say Ms. Salazar has left a footprint in my heart, and it is a footprint that will drive me to excel wherever I go.