“
Even if the students don’t
take anything away from
the curriculum but I’m able
to teach them a life lesson or
give them advice to make them
better, I did my job.” – Amanda
Fast
Matthew West has a song called
“World Changers.” It’s amazing,
take a listen! World changers are
impacted by those who believe in
their dreams. I have one of those
people in my life, a teacher. Her
encouragement in my dreams is
helping me be a world changer. She
didn’t just cheer me on to pursue a
dream, she came up with a dream
for me!
I remember meeting Miss Fast
for the first time, back in 2007. It
was my first day of grade nine. Even
though I was the kid who lived two
blocks from school, I was always
late, as I was that day. Not the best
impression I gave to Miss Fast, guilty
slinking into the back of her science
class! I bet God was chuckling that
day, thinking to Himself, “Just you
two wait, I‘ve crossed your paths for
a reason. There are some inspiring
and enjoyable times ahead!” Despite
the first impression in science, come
creative writing years later, Miss fast
become my favorite teacher.
There is a quote often on
teacher mugs saying “They may not
remember what you taught them
but they will remember how they
made you feel.” Miss Fast made me
feel talented. She opened my eyes to
dream bigger dreams than I thought
were allowed. She was the first one
to suggest I write a book! She said I
should lengthen a story I wrote in
her class called “Someone to Hold.”
“I know one day I’ll be buying
your books, Nyla.”
“Hmm, if she thinks I can do it,
maybe I can!”
Six are published now with
more on the way. All with inspiring
messages that point people to God
and His love. People have even
come to Christ through reading
these books. Walking into her
classroom, years after graduation, to
www.simplyelevate.com
41