I share with you a story about the person who changed my life, Mr. David Weiss, my 8th grade English teacher.

As I shared in my last episode (www.celinalee.co/episode27), I was born in LA, and moved with my parents to Seoul, Korea when I was three-years-old, and came back to Southern California ten years later. I had to learn English and adjust to the American culture as a 7th grader. All I wanted to do was fit in, but other kids made sure I knew that I was different. I was constantly bullied at school, and it was one of the most painful times of my life.

I share with you what Mr. Weiss did to change the way others saw me, and also how I saw myself. He reinforced my belief that I can achieve my dream. I grew up and realized my childhood dream of writing a book, all because one teacher believed in me when nobody did.

He lifted me up and held me up like a champion when everybody else put me down. It takes just one encouragement at a critical moment to make all the difference in a person’s life.

Thank you Mr. Weiss and all the teachers for your hard work and all the lives you have touched and changed!

Today’s show notes: www.celinalee.co/episode28