I’d like for you to meet Ann.

I traveled back to Charlotte, North Carolina, in late October—well, actually to a small town outside of Charlotte called Concord. This is the place where my teaching career began 17 years ago.

One of my main priorities while I was there was to connect with my very first mentor. Ann was the teacher who inspired me to be always put my students first. On the days when I wanted to give up, Ann always had some kind and encouraging words to loan me—she knew that investing in a new teacher was a worthwhile and necessary cause. Ann also helped me celebrate the seemingly small successes in my classroom…because she knew that oftentimes, it is the small things that make the biggest difference.

Well, I met up with Ann and we went out for a lunch date. I personally delivered her a copy of my book, signed and infused with love. I showed her where her name was on the Acknowledgments page…and the tears welled up in her eyes.

It was so fulfilling to be able to tell Ann in person what an impact she has had on me during my entire teaching career—even when we have been miles apart. We shared stories of growth and transformation and inspiration.

And then, do you know what happened?

Ann gave me another piece of advice that I will be sure to carry with me for the next several years of my life. She said,

“You have always been a natural born leader and teacher. The education world needs your gifts. And always put love first, before anything else, just like you did with your students.”

Now, as you can imagine, this had me bawling my eyes out AGAIN, but it is such a powerful testament as to how much we can each uplift one another with kind words. It is also a great reminder that as we travel through life, the right mentors can teach us so much about ourselves and how to really make a lasting impact in the world.