The Words That Shaped Me: How a Teacher Can Open a Life – or Shut It Down

It was in fifth grade. I had just transferred from a Rudolf Steiner school to a public community school, and I was proud of myself that day. I had a dream, and I had finally found out what that dream was called. I had finally found out what that dream was called: I wanted to become an astrophysicist and work in the space industry.

I also knew it wouldn’t be easy. So, earnestly, I asked my teacher if there was a way I could receive some extra support to reach my goal. Who better to ask than the person leading the class?

But my teacher just laughed. And then she said, without hesitation: "You’ll never be good enough for that. You should probably look for something else."

To this day, I remember that moment because it dimmed a bright, shining star on my inner sky. A star full of joy, purpose, curiosity, and power.

This is the thing: We don’t often talk about the invisible injuries of education. But they live in us. And they shape what we believe we’re allowed to pursue.

Then There Was a Teacher Who Changed Everything

Several years later, during my time at an American Senior High School, I took a class called Public Speaking. I thought it sounded very interesting and different, so I signed up. I remember the moment my teacher, Anne, introduced the theme of public communication.

She walked right up to my desk, looked at me directly, and said: “You’re going to be really good at this.”

That teacher believed in me so strongly, she invited me to attend speaking competitions. She mentored me, explained what worked, what didn’t, and why I had a natural talent in this field.

And now?

I teach. I mentor. I speak. I see. Not because I planned to. But because someone saw something good in me, who cultivated it and gave it a name. She gave birth to a new bright shining star on my inner sky.

About my collage art 'Traveling towards the Light' above: I thought about my teacher in Public Speaking when I designed this piece of art. I wanted to give her Light a visual voice and memory. She is not well these years, so I added the green colour for healing. Thank you, Anne, for everything,

Why This Matters

Both of those moments stayed with me. Both of them shaped me.

One created a block I’ve been unlearning ever since. The other lit a path that eventually became my life’s work.

And now, every time I teach - whether it’s a group of students, a room full of professionals, or a one-on-one session - I remember this:

Everyone carries a story behind their eyes.

• A moment that closed something down.

• Or moment that made something possible.

• A memory of feeling stupid, or a memory of feeling seen.

These stories are not always visible. But they’re present; in how we speak, how we learn, how we show up. And that means teaching is never just about content. It’s about creating the conditions where someone can unfold again.

What I Believe Now

You can’t teach emotional or social intelligence without emotional connection. You can’t deliver complex knowledge in a way that truly lands unless your student feels seen, safe, and invited into the learning.

As a teacher, mentor, and communicator, I’ve learned to teach to the hidden story. I listen for the hesitation behind the question. I choose examples that honour where people come from. I adapt what I know to speak to where they are.

Not because it’s my 'method', but because it’s human.

And when someone feels seen, heard, and valued, the learning goes deeper. It becomes theirs.

I’d love to hear from you:

• Has a teacher ever said something to you that changed everything — for better or worse?

  
  

• What do you still carry from your own learning journey? Let’s talk about the power of words, and the stories we teach through.

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Louise Sommer is an Educational Psychologist, artist, graphic designer, and creative learning consultant. With over 20 years of international experience, she works at the intersection of adult education, emotional intelligence, and cultural storytelling. Louise helps institutions, professionals, and purpose-driven educators transform complex knowledge into meaningful, human-centred communication.

She offers 1:1 online mentoring for educators and professionals seeking to strengthen their voice, presence, and communication impact — and designs tailored workshops for workgroups and learning teams.

She’s passionate about helping others feel seen, empowered, and ready to lead from within.

📬 Connect on LinkedIn @louisesommer