Dear Future Students,

I am graduating this week with a degree for which I have always felt a calling. When I was your age, I was admiring my teacher's "perfect" handwriting, wishing I could hang up posters with all of that sticky tack, and trying to convince my mom to let me have all of the brightest pens simply because school supplies gave me a rush and made me happy to do work. As I got older, my teacher fantasies got more serious. I daydreamed about the layout of my future classroom, I took younger students under my wing to practice my tutoring skills, but mostly I thought about you.

What would you be like? What would your passions be? How could I help you achieve them? Would I make a difference in your life? The older I got, the more questions I had. When my education became serious there was a lot more to consider: testing, common core, compass scores... The center of my anxiety wondered if I could be highly effective, but the center of my heart just wondered if I could be what you needed.

I hope you realize that my dreams for you go beyond academics. Yes, I want you to meet grade-level expectations. However, I also want you to meet your full potential. I hope you will work your hardest, but I also hope you will be your kindest. I will expect you to be a good student, but I will also expect you to be a good friend.

There will be days when I feel tired and aggravated and a little burnt out. This isn't your fault. We will both have our good days and our bad days and I hope we can come to an understanding on the bad ones because sometimes it's just what is needed for everyone around us. Help me help you and you will thank yourself later. I realize you are not all like me. You may not ohh and ahh over school supplies and you don't have a passion for explaining things to others. It may not be easy for you to stay in a desk all day and focus for hours on end. All I ask is for your consideration and respect. As long as you give that to me, I will give that to you.

Teachers do more than lesson plan and grade. They carry out thoughtful, purposeful lessons, activities, and assignments. Everything I plan is with you in mind. My promise to you is that I will always look out for what's best for you. Every assignment is with your best interest at heart. Every conduct mark is with your best interest at heart. Every phone call home (good or bad) is with your best interest at heart.

If you ever need to talk, I'm here. If you ever need help, I'm here. If you ever need encouragement, I'm here. We are, and always will be, on the same team.

Love always,

Your Future Teacher