Mr. Amaral taught me how to write. Period. When I got to UC Riverside I was able to use everything he taught me. I was surprised by many of the students around me who were from private schools all around California who just couldn’t write. I found I was one of the strongest writers and was always helping my friends write their papers. Mr. Amaral was always challenging us. He was hard but fair, and he never takes a day off.

Stepping into Mr. Amaral’s classroom changed my life. His no-phone policy and push to make his curriculum almost all on paper creates better writers and also better HUMANS. Through his AP English Language class my junior year, I was inspired to join his journalism class as well my senior year, which built the foundations to me becoming a sports writer for two publications since I graduated just a few months ago. With those same foundations, he has inspired me to continue pursuing my future as an NBA broadcaster. Mr. Amaral’s immersive lectures really define what it means to be a TEACHER. Having someone who is a talented writer as a mentor really has developed who I am today.