06/12/2026
I've been teaching ACT prep for almost 10 years.
I've taught hundreds of students, celebrated incredible score increases, and watched students accomplish things they never thought possible.
But every once in a while, a class leaves a mark on your heart.
This week, I was reminded of something that has very little to do with the ACT and everything to do with life.
So many students today carry self-doubt.
They compare themselves to others. They minimize their strengths. They focus on what they struggle with instead of recognizing all the things they do well.
As adults, we often talk about academic performance, grades, and test scores. But I think sometimes we forget that many of our teenagers are quietly questioning whether they're good enough.
If there's one thing I wish every student knew, it's this:
You are more than a score.
You are more than a GPA.
You are more than a ranking, acceptance letter, scholarship, or test result.
You have gifts, talents, strengths, and purpose that cannot be measured on a standardized test.
One of my favorite sayings is: "If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid."
Every student shines in different ways.
My hope is that we spend as much time teaching our kids to believe in themselves as we do teaching them content.
To all of my ACT students: Walk into that testing room knowing you are capable. Trust your preparation. Be kind to yourself. Give your best effort and let that be enough.
And to the parents: Sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children is helping them see the strengths they can't yet see in themselves.
Y'all have been on my heart this week. ❤️
- Amber
