Dear Mr. Egbert,

This is probably the part where I'm supposed to tease you for not having a social media presence, because that means I'm not able to tag you in this article on Facebook. But actually, I kind of admire the fact that you don't spend your time on all of this stuff. You focus on what really matters -- and we could all learn a thing or two from that.

This week on the Odyssey, I decided to write you a thank you letter. After all, getting the opportunity to share my thoughts with the world here each week is amazing, but none of it would have been possible if you didn't further my passion for the written word. From the minute I stepped into your class, you made it something exciting and interesting that I wanted to come back to every day. You even managed to make me interested in Antigone, for crying out loud. That's an achievement if I ever did see one.

I loved absolutely everything we did in your class -- even the parts where you made me stand next to my desk and not sit down until I made a contribution to the current discussion. In the moment, it was absolutely horrific, being that I hated having attention on me. But without meaning to, you helped me break out of some of the deeply-ingrained tendencies to be shy that I'd had throughout my previous school experience. I also especially loved your project around Christmastime, which I remember you called "All The Good Things." You told us that our homework assignment was to write one compliment for everyone in the class, and then we anonymously gave them out, and then I was left with a pile of compliments from my peers. I remember not thinking I was anything special -- I remember not thinking I was worthy of so many compliments. I specifically remember reading through my comments and being surprised to find that people liked my writing, or my work ethic, or my laugh, or my hair. I remember thinking that all of these people that I was afraid of (because I was so shy) had so many nice things to say about me, things that I may not have ever known if it wasn't for your project. To this day, all of those compliments are hanging up on my wall, and I look at them whenever I'm having a bad day and need a little bit of a pick me up.

You also supported me with not only publishing my first book, but writing my second. You read my book and even went on to share it with your own students. You offered to help me edit and to help me with anything I needed in regards to it, which is an offer I hadn't received from anybody else. You also gave us so many incredible books to read, some of which ended up even becoming my favorites, like To Kill a Mockingbird.

In addition to being such an amazing teacher, you are a genuinely good person. No matter how poorly we did on tests, or how awkward our presentations are, you never lost your patience (while I certainly would have, if I were you, with good reason). When I wasn't grasping a concept, you didn't belittle me or make me feel stupid. When you liked a particular piece of my writing, you went out of your way to praise it. You were always smiling, always helpful, and always willing to lend an ear with any problems school-related or otherwise. You told so many amazing, funny stories, and you made every day at school just a little brighter.

You are a respectable, kind person, and a brilliant educator. You make a personal connection with each of your students, and you do your best to help them thrive. That's the kind of teacher that only comes along once in a lifetime, and the things they teach you stick with you forever.

I'm so lucky to have had an English teacher as amazing as you. I sing your praises everywhere I go, and I'm so glad that now my sister has a chance to be in your class and see all of the incredible things I've been talking about. Thank you for being such an amazing educator, and also such a kind person. I will never forget all of the lessons you've taught me, and I'll continue to emulate your kindness as I grow as a person and as a writer.

Thank you for everything. I am so lucky to have had such an amazing teacher that impacted my life in such an important and positive way. I'll never forget 3rd period English sophomore year!

Sincerely,

Jess :0)