We all have those high school teachers that we'll never forget. You know who I'm talking about. I'm talking about the first teachers that came to your mind when you read this title. Those teachers who you'll remember forever, and someday you'll tell your kids great stories about them. Those teachers whose class you actually looked forward to, instead of dreaded. Those teachers who were passionate about teaching and inspired you want to succeed and be the best person you can be. Those teachers who you couldn't imagine going through high school without. Those teachers who went above and beyond what they "had to do" as a teacher, and genuinely cared about each and every student they had. Those teachers that helped you to become the person you are today.

So, to those teachers of mine who I am so grateful to have known...

Thank you for pushing me to be the best I can be.

You have inspired me to always work hard to accomplish my dreams and to do better each day. Thank you for keeping me grounded in my goals and for helping me to see the bigger picture in everything. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best person I can be in all aspects of life.

Thank you for coming to school games.

As an athlete, it was always nice to look up into the stands and see you cheering me on. Your school spirit is contagious, and I appreciate your passion for being a part of your students' lives inside and outside the classroom. Thank you for dedicating so much of your life to supporting your students in all that they do.

Thank you for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.

High school is a crazy journey filled with the highest highs and the lowest lows, as you well know. There were days when I just wanted to give up on graduating, going to college and anything and everything else. Thank you for always telling me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Thank you for always believing in me and my goals.

Thank you for giving me honest feedback.

I appreciate that you were the type of person who told me what I needed to hear, not necessarily what I wanted to hear. Thank you for giving me your honest opinion on my school work, grades and decisions I made. Thanks for always "telling it like it is."

Thank you for having patience with me.

I'll be the first one to admit that there were plenty of days when I've come into your class beyond mad and frustrated with grades, the college process and life in general. But, instead of getting mad at my "bad attitude," you understood where I was coming from. Thank you making an effort to truly relate to your students. Thank you for always being willing to help out in any way you could.

Thank you for your passion.

Your enthusiasm for the subjects you taught, your students, your school, and life in general was infectious. Thank you for always having a passion for helping me to grow as a person. I appreciate how you inspired me to always stay positive and to always be passionate about everything that I do.

Thank you for caring about each one of your students on a deeper level.

It was such a great feeling to know that I could always come to you about anything. Thank you for investing so much time in genuinely caring about your students' lives inside and outside of the classroom. I am thankful that I got to know you and you got to know me, because I have learned so much more from you than the subjects you taught me.

Thank you for always putting on a smile, no matter what was going on in your personal life.

I am the type of person that wears my heart on my sleeve, so I can't imagine how it's possible that you were always able to have a smile on no matter what was going on in your personal life. Thank you for putting your students' needs above your own, and for always making sure that you were a strong role model for them, no matter what you were facing outside of school.

Thank you for changing my life.

You have made a lasting impression in my heart, and I will always be grateful to know you. Thank you for teaching me so much about myself. I would not be the same person I am today if it weren't for your help.

I hope I made you proud over the years.

Sincerely and always grateful,

Your former student