A teacher who sees something in you is a gift. A teacher who doesn’t is one opinion.

An adult who believes in you early can change what you think is available to you, and that is worth a great deal. The reverse does not carry equal force. A teacher sees you a few hours a week, in one subject, during a year that may be going badly for reasons they know nothing about.

If somebody has backed you, thank them properly before you leave the school, because they almost never hear it. If somebody has written you off, do not spend the year arguing. Find one other adult who takes you seriously and work from that opinion instead.