The first time I told one of my friends I had Ms. Rylee as my teacher, they gasped (very loudly) and said, "Oh my God I love Ms. Rylee!" That was the first time I heard that, but it wouldn't be the last. I came to Lakes my sophomore year, and I genuinely lucked out with her class. First period with Ms. Rylee was always fun, even on the days where mornings started out dead. She'd always wake us up before trying to get us to work, and while she led discussions that helped me learn as a student, those discussions were always applicable to life as a whole. The way she talks has a way of both expressing herself (as a person, woman, and teacher) and opening other people's minds. On top of that, she keeps an open mind. How could a teacher make every student feel special? By listening. Somehow, Ms. Rylee constantly manages to balance teaching her students with being there for them. As a mother, she handles every student almost as if they were her child. Pushing us when she knows we need it, comforting us when she can, and always ready with a laugh that's bright enough to bring light to a black hole. The thing I admire most about her is that she does all this even in times when she's not feeling well. If I have a problem, I know I can go to Ms. Rylee for help. That goes for when I need encouragement and advice too. Last year, I expressed to Ms. Rylee how I wanted to publish some of my poems before I graduated. She not only gave me words of encouragement, but also showed me a few websites to start with. When I needed to cry, she was there for me. And she kept on teaching. Because of how amazing she is to me, I decided to go all out last year with her Teacher Appreciation gift. Because of how amazing she is TO EVERYONE, I had plenty of people willing to help me. Her happiness was worth the work, and I'm happy that—although I'm no longer her current student—Ms. Rylee is still here for me. I admire Ms. Rylee very much. For almost two years now, she's been my excellent teacher, mentor, and has also grown to be a second mother to me. I aspire to be like her, and I believe that if I manage to be a small fraction of the woman, mother, teacher, writer—if I can be a small fraction of the person she is, I'll be extremely lucky.