Odetta

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The Power of 15 Minutes

In seventh grade, a teacher casually remarked that math just wasn't my thing, and I took that to heart. My mom noticed my struggle and arranged for me to switch schools, a decision I'm still grateful for. Fast forward to the 11th grade, my new math teacher, Mr. Giles shattered that earlier notion in a short conversation. He saw something in me that I hadn't - a knack for numbers, and he suggested that I should think about majoring in mathematics in college. His faith in me became a catalyst. Inspired by his words, I ended up minoring in mathematics in college, a direction I would never have taken without his encouragement. That short, 15-minute conversation with Mr. Giles was one of those turning points in my life. Now, I try to carry forward that lesson - the profound impact of spending just 15 minutes to genuinely uplift someone else's belief in their abilities.