I have had unique connections with the educators and staff at Arrowhead Union High School. However, there is one educator that will forever be my favorite. 

A study hall monitor or a lunch supervisor tend to be overlooked and underappreciated for their time and effort put into improving the school. Mrs. Weisbrod (Gwen) has always been more of a friend to me than a teacher. I've known her since I was a junior, and she always greets me with a smile and supports my crazy aspirations. I've seen the students she has to deal with and the problems they give her. I couldn't handle the situations with as much politeness as she does.

Gwen's impact extends far beyond academics. She is a mentor and role model to me and instills essential values such as empathy, resilience, and integrity. Gwen has always pushed me to accomplish my goals and persevere even when I don't want to. She has taught me many valuable life lessons. She is always willing to lend a listening ear, offer words of wisdom, or lend a helping hand whenever needed.

She has never failed to make me feel welcome in her junior study hall room, even though I am clearly not a junior anymore. She always prioritizes asking questions and finding out how my day is going. The even more remarkable part about that is that she doesn't just do that for me; she cares about every student who enters her room. 

However, there is one thing you should know about Gwen. She HATES cheaters. She thinks it is one of the most disrespectful things a student can do while under her supervision. 

"I hate cheaters!" is something I always hear her say. 

Gwen is responsible for overwatching the students taking tests for classes they have missed. When Gwen catches a student cheating on their test, she gets mad as a hornet. Throughout my academic career, I have always been warned about the impacts of cheating. However, I only care when Gwen expresses her emotions about the topic. Gwen gives a face to academic issues—such as cheating—that go on behind the scenes.   

The best part about Gwen is that she is more than just a friendly face around Arrowhead. She is a kind, compassionate, and encouraging mother. She is a mother to three kids and loves to talk about how lovely they are. She dedicates her time to all her kids' activities outside of school. Her favorite one to chat about is her twin daughters' rowing team. All the traveling shows how unique rowing is to their family and how much time Gwen devotes to her family. 

 Her unwavering support and encouragement have empowered countless students, including me. I will never forget Gwen's impact on me and all the other students at Arrowhead.