English has never been my best subject. Essays, blended quotes and grammar-checks are just not my strong suit, but my past English teacher, Michelle Neel, always made sure we worked hard and were able to do well in her class. I had Mrs. Neel for my first two years at Kingwood Park, and I am so glad I did. 

Everyday when I walked into Mrs. Neel’s class, I felt comfortable and at ease. She makes her classroom environment very warm with her soft lights and blankets and pillows she provides for her students. The additional cozy “coffeehouse” music also helped us feel homey when we had to focus on our work.

Although sometimes I dreaded having to read texts/essays and then analyze them, Mrs. Neel never failed to keep us motivated and working hard. She always made sure we tried our best on our assignments. She also always knew when we needed a break and wanted to have a good laugh and conversation. Often, she would hand out candy and let us just talk in our table groups to recenter and have a brain break.

Even the summatives and projects we had were never boring. From struggling to read “Atomic Habits” to enjoying making an archetype project on my favorite Disney movie, I never had a dull moment in my classes. Reading “12 Angry Men” outloud in class is one of the most memorable parts of my freshman year. Both of my classes for the first two years were all-around good classes that got along with each other and made projects fun. Mrs. Neel added to that and kept the class interesting.

After sophomore year I was very sad I was not going to have her as my English teacher for the years I had left at Kingwood Park. When I see her now she always greets me with with a smile on her face and asks me how I am. Anyone who has her for their underclassmen years is very lucky.