Every new school year is filled with new memories, new classes, and especially, new teachers. Some students dread having new teachers because some of the things they've heard, but some students are excited to have new teachers.

At the end of the school year, we either hate the teachers we had, or we love them. The teachers that we loved we promise to visit the next school year, and we reminisce the memories we had, while we try to forget those we did not like.

There was one teacher I had during my high school years who has had a major impact on my life, and I am still close to her today.

This is a thank you to her.

During my freshman year, I met my future track coach and graphic design teacher who I never thought I would get so close to. She was a crazy, fun-loving, peppy teacher. One could have honestly mistaken her for being a student.

She wasn't just an ordinary teacher who gave lectures and quizzes, being the basis of the class. Instead, she inspired her students to go outside the box and to not be afraid to stretch beyond their limits. During the track season, she pushed us to our breaking points, and never gave up on us, even when she was frustrated.

No matter what, she gave 100 percent every time, she did not take anybody's pettiness, and she never said, "I can't."

The teacher understood her students on a personal level that many others failed to acknowledge. She was the teacher all of the students went to talk to about their problems.

In her classroom, there was a closet where if we were stressed or a mess, we could go in and just scream or cry. She even gave us a pass if we were late because we were trying to get ourselves together.

Many teachers did not understand her methods of teaching, or her relationships with her students. She didn't care what people thought of her. She was and still is my inspiration today. I would not have become the person I am without her.

She pulled me up when I was at my lowest. We had many laughs, cries, and arguments that I don't think I would have had with any other teacher. My teacher was more than a teacher to me, she was and still is my friend.

There is no one like the high school teacher I had. No other teacher could surmount to her. Like I said before, I would not be where I am today without her.

If I did not meet her my freshman year when I got pummeled in the head with a basketball, I would not have had the chance to meet such a wonderful woman. I owe a lot to her and I know this is just a small token of my appreciation, but I hope it goes a long way. Thank you for being such an inspiration to not only myself, but to all your students. To all those teachers who have had such an impact on their students, thank you for all you do.