In Return, a Letter of Recommendation of Mrs. Melissa Bechtold by Trish

In Return, a Letter of Recommendation of Mrs. Melissa Bechtold by Trish - January 2025 Scholarship Essay

It is no surprise that spending 4 years with a teacher allows for a personal and academic connection. A part of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at my high school, I have been enrolled in her class my entire high school journey, and each year, I cherish every memory I have with her and fret for the day I graduate and must depart from her classroom. As a student with a lack of parental guidance, Mrs. Melissa Bechtold fills in the strict rules of preparedness as an educator, but also gets to know every student personally, as shown through her achievements as a Math II teacher, Intervention teacher, AVID teacher, and AVID Co-Coordinator.

While I have not had Mrs. Bechtold as a Math II teacher, I know of her capabilities. During the time she was on maternity leave during the 2021-2022 year, unfortunately, the long-term substitute could not match her expertise in teaching. Students struggled with their grades, yearning for Mrs. Bechtold to come back; when she did, they rejoiced and was able to raise their grades due to her instruction. This also correlated to the AVID students, including myself. Despite not knowing her for long before she had to take a break, everyone missed her control over the classroom and elegance in her subjects. Even without her presence, she made a difference in students with her in mind: to keep pushing and to work together for success. As a freshman, I felt a rapport with her as soon as she returned, finding her inspiring in her skills and happiness in life: a mother of 3 with her long-term high school sweetheart husband, a teacher, and a strong internet presence. Personality-wise, she is firm in her professionalism but has a charm of understanding and humanity.

For instance, her role as an Intervention teacher. Not only does she help tutor AVID students as a part of the program, but other students in their academic endeavors. Thus, she has the knowledge and ability to teach more than what she is titled as. Her passion to help others is highlighted in her job and her additional tasks that she takes on. In AVID classes, she helps students maintain their grades and checks in on every single person’s well-being. In my experience, she has been a cheerleader, celebrating every accomplishment even when I had doubts about myself, and a person I trust to go to when I need support, ranging from stress to a breakup of romantic relationship. Her assignments take on more than the mission of AVID, college readiness, by taking us step-by-step through applications, giving us time for required projects to graduate, and summarizing financial responsibilities in adulthood. Additionally, her encouragement in a positive mentality has students setting goals for themselves. Personally, she had assigned me to get rest during the winter break of senior year, knowing my daily workload, and greeted me back with a smile as she put our class to work in her stern, but delightful way.

Her capability in her work is no question. As one of the new AVID Co-Coordinators, she has raised significant funds to expand the program for all grade levels and started the AVID Leadership Council (ALC). ALC, although new, has bright ambitions of outreach, events, public relations, and continued fundraising to impact our community with studious students. As a part of ALC, the new extension of the AVID program, accepts its members to represent and lead, just like Mrs. Bechtold. Every committee collaborates along with having class period representatives for better communication between students and teachers in the AVID program. Mrs. Bechtold helping found ALC shows her goals to exceed and progress in her career. Other tasks she takes charge of are AVID academic tutors, interviewing, observing, and distributing volunteered student helpers, making it a new A-G elective and hiring college tutors to aid every classroom.

In the years I have been Mrs. Bechtold’s student, her influence in my life, as well as others, has been astounding. In return of the multitude letter of recommendation she has written for me in college applications, scholarships, and high school student leadership programs, I hope to encase my gratitude in my words; although, there is not enough adjectives or phrases to describe her significance. In my education, Mrs. Melissa Bechtold has transitioned me the most and best toward college, and I am forever in my debt to her.