Erin Lizer is a bright spot within the halls of North Central. My junior year I went through a time that greatly altered the course of my high school career. I no longer adored school and learning, and my motivation waned. Ms. Lizer’s class was the reason I kept showing up. Not only does she make her class engaging and rigorous, but she takes the time to form an emotional connection with each of her students, me included. Every student that enters her classroom feels special and loved. In a time where compassion is so hard to come by, Ms. Lizer spreads empathy without even trying. She became a rock for me. No matter where I was in the building, I knew that there was someone just down the hall who cared about me not only as a student, but as a person. Because she is so good at what she does, her time is a hard-to-come-by commodity, and nevertheless she carved out time to know me, to see me, and to care for me. Any student who walks into her classroom is infinitely lucky, and I am endlessly glad I get to be one of them.