Teachers play a crucial part in the lives of their students. Along with teaching their subject or subjects, they also impact the kids’ lives in other ways. They also serve as mentors, encouragers, and they do their best to keep their students on the path to success. Jackson Ramirez says that one of his elementary teachers made such an impact on him, she is still one of his favorite teachers to this day.

“My second grade teacher, Mrs. Heckart, would have to be my favorite teacher,” he stated. “She would never give up on me, no matter how hard I struggled. She was a big help in my life academically. I would not be where I am today if it was not for her.”

Ramirez is a sophomore at Woodward High School. He pitches and plays first base for the Boomers baseball team. He first began playing baseball when he was around the age of six and the sport has been part of his life since.

Becoming the athlete and the person that he is today is something that Ramirez attributes to a few very important people in his life.

“My biggest role models are my dad and grandpa Leon,” Jackson said. “My dad is always the one getting me out on the field to practice or getting me in the cage to hit. And my grandpa was at every baseball game I have ever played no matter how far away it was or anything that he had to do. He was one of those guys that just seemed like no matter what you did it, was never good enough, so that really helped me strive to get better. I am so thankful because I have the most supportive family in the world.”

Work is something that Jackson says has helped him get to where he is today, but he says it is the extra stuff that determines what kind of athlete you are going to be.

“I think what makes you good in a sport is being able to work on and off the field,” he said. “It also includes the times when nobody is watching you, putting in the extra work away from the team.”