Can someone revise this?

Throughout my life there have been many people who have influenced my decision about obtaining a higher education and doing something I feel pionate toward. Of these people encomped Mr. Miranda, my Social Studies and Life Skills teacher. His parents are like mine as they migrated from Puerto Rico, and they, too, grew up with little money in Los Angeles, CA. However, this did not serve as a factor to prevent him from pursuing higher education and going to college.