Tell us about The Teacher Who Changed My Life – and why.

I have fond memories of many teachers. One I particularly remember is Mrs. Kirchberg, my first grade teacher at St. Louis School. She was the first person to whom I ever confessed my sin. I remember a test in which my eyes wandered to the paper of another student, and I wrote down that answer. I felt terrible afterward. I had let Mrs. Kirchberg down. The next day I stayed after school and tearfully told me what I had done. She listened, smiled, gave me a hug, told me not to do it again, and sent me on my way. Immediately I felt better. I always think of her when I talk to children about the sacrament of reconciliation.

I also remember that in the spring of that year, I had my tonsils removed. My parents told me many times that when they took me down to the operating room, I cried out, not for “Mommy” or “Daddy,” but “Mrs. Kirchberg!”