Throughout our lives, we realize that the knowledge we need to survive comes from the people around us.

The way people eat, sleep, talk and walk all influence us. If we see or hear something that we like, we copy it. As a child, I remember always doing what my parents did; I idolized them, still do, in fact. And as I grew, I slowly picked up their habits and made them into my own. Like they say, parents really are the best teachers.

Today as I sit in school, I realize that when I leave this building, I won’t talk about anything that has been taught to me, except for the occasional math problem, of course. When I go home, I’m going to converse, eat, sleep and laugh. We don’t learn that in school.

As we grow, we learn from our parents. They teach us how to share, love, laugh, make friends, smile and socialize. You see, all of the basic things needed to survive in the big, bad world can’t be taught in school, but by the ones around us.

In my life, I’ve realized that I learn everything from my parents. The way I dress, the way I talk, I’ve learned that from my parents, not my teachers. When I’m on my own, teachers won’t be there, but my parents will, guiding me every day, helping me choose from right and wrong.

I was and am very fortunate to have my parents as role models to steer me in the right direction when I’m lost. My parents are my teachers, professionals at heart.

Myranda Dodge, age 16, Winslow

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