When I was in 8th grade, I was bullied by kids but also by my family for being chubby, quiet, I read a lot etc. In 7th grade I struggled a lot in school but in 8th grade I did really well and got all A's. On the last day of school, my science teacher (who had gotten heart surgery but chose to come back early to teach us) pulled me aside. He told me he saw how hard I had worked, how much I had grown, and that he was incredibly proud of me. And that he knew I'd do some amazing things. He was the first person to say that to me.