I remember the first teacher who inspired me with literature. I had been slacking off with my studies in my freshman year of high school. I received my first F in English class, my best subject. After much hesitation, I asked if I could do extra credit work to bring my grade up. The teacher gave me the novel, Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy. I spent the next day with my face glued to the novel. I remembered my childhood escape. I became in touch with books again. I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting. My mother caught me at 6 a.m. crying my eyes out over the ending. I returned to school without concern for my grade. All I wanted to do was thank Ms. D. for bringing me back to a world that I had forgotten about. Now that I am a teacher, I want to open my student's eyes. I don't want them to be concerned with their grade. I want them to be touched by literature the way I was that very long day.