In this essay, veteran high school teacher Cherish R. Skinker recounts how she connected with hard-to-reach, struggling students in her 9th grade English classes. In a supportive classroom environment, Skinker's students explored the year-long theme of "a hero's journey" through texts like "The Odyssey" and "Romeo and Juliet." Students ended the year by reading Skinker's favorite novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird." She recounts how the class tackled tough themes and vocabulary--all while learning about one another. After teaching this unit for 16 years, it's no surprise that the teacher was overwhelmed with messages from former students when Harper Lee passed away in February 2016. It was then that Skinker realized that her students had learned the most important lesson she could have ever taught--that she was there for them and that they were there for her.