This isn't a letter. This is a personal article for all the teachers who shaped me into the person I am today. I want people to know more than anything that teachers have a lasting impression on students. The words of encouragement my teachers spoke to me are still rolling through my head. For that, I am thankful. My high school teachers prepared me for college in a weird way. They prepared me with encouragement and lessons I never knew I needed. This goes out to them and all of the teachers who made a lasting impression on their students.

My high school teachers were literally the best. They helped me grow as a student and a person as well. They gave me the hard truth when I needed it, but also had an open door whenever I needed to talk. My teachers are the reason for where I am today. If it weren't for them, I would probably be lost in the wind.

I could write a book on how thankful I am for the teachers I had in high school. They left me with memories in the classroom that I still hold close to my heart. They brought sunshine during the cloudiest days. Their jokes (dad jokes or not) made the class go by faster. I enjoyed going to school because of them. In fact, I loved it.

To go a little deeper, my teachers poured encouragement over me non-stop. Every time I walked through their door with that look on my face, they knew right away why I was there. Many times those conversations happened because I felt like I couldn't do it anymore, but also because I didn't want to go to a certain class. I would sit in their classroom or their office and complain. For some reason, they always listened to those complaints. That reason alone, I must say my teachers were and still are awesome.

As life got busier and busier, they were still a footstep away. I could walk down the hall or head down the steps to inform them of something incredible or talk about how stressed I was. I knew they truly cared about my education and wanted to know how it was going. They cared even when I was not in their class that semester, let alone that year. They still cared about how I was doing. They cared about my grades and my mental health. I don't know how I got so lucky to have teachers who cared about me as much as they did.

My teachers never failed to tell me, "I believe in you."

I doubted myself a countless number of times. I went to them in tears, in anger, and in frustration pleading for comfort. I told myself time and time again that I was going to fail this or that. I convinced myself that I was awful at certain subjects. I made myself think I won't graduate on time if I fail this test. When really, that was simply overthinking everything. My teachers could always lift my spirits and help me to believe in myself again. They made sure I knew I can achieve despite the statistics or thoughts that flooded my mind.

My high school teachers never gave up on me. I'm thankful for them. Because of my teachers, every time I start to doubt myself, I remind myself of what they always said. "I believe in you.", "You CAN do this.", "Can't is a state of mind.", "You can and will achieve." My teachers are my motivation. I promised them I would continue my education even when it gets hard and stressful. I told them the truth of being petrified for college, but I believe in myself.

My teachers had an impact on my life that has continued two years later. My teachers are the reason behind what motivates me. My teachers taught me more than the lessons planned for the class. I could never thank them enough.

More than anything, I hope they know how great they are. I hope they know they are making a difference in the lives of their students. I hope they know teaching a class of students who may not want to be there is actually worthwhile because looking back, I realize the difference they made in my education and motivation.

Thank you, teachers, all across the world. Whether or not students tell you, you are impacting their lives.