There are many things in my life I am thankful for and great teachers ruining me is one of them. Now before you jump to conclusions, hear me out.

When I was in kindergarten and first grade, I had an amazing teacher. She would always encourage me to crave knowledge and become better. I specifically remember one day where I was cutting shapes with scissors and as she walked around she stopped by my desk looking at the work I had done. She told me that she had seen me cut better and straighter than I was cutting and she knew I could do better. So from that point on I tried my hardest to cut perfectly on the line. Not only was I trying to make sure that she was happy with my work, but I was also trying to make sure that I was doing the best I could.

Fast forward, I had a math teacher in middle school who absolutely ruined my lack of motivation. Now math is not my favorite subject nor am I very skilled in this crazy language. -- Seriously. Who thought it was a good idea to have numbers with letters and throw symbols in there for the heck of it? So naturally I slacked off and didn't really care to do some of the assignments and had the attitude of if I couldn't do it now then I will never do it. My math teacher ruined that real quick. He made sure that I had the knowledge that I needed to complete the assignments and even offered to help me after school. I couldn't think of a better way to kick it into gear than get my math grade up and get into chess club. (Nerdy, I know but still. I will blame my highly impressionable youth.)

Finally I made it to high school. I had a plethora of teachers who were willing to help me so much that I actually had to turn down help on occasion because I had actually gotten the information I needed the first time. It helped that it was an incredibly small (but charming) school. My English instructor/forensics coach, Ag teacher, science instructor, history teacher/basketball coach, and so many others that I don't have room to name, have all been instrumental in ruining my quiet, reserved self.

While these teachers ruined my old self, they built up a new person who is proud of who I've become. They saw potential in me where I didn't even see it myself. They made such an impact on me and shaped as a person that I cannot begin to thank them enough. It is beyond impossible to put into words how thankful I am to have had these wonderful mentors.

So to the teachers that have had me as a student, thank you. You are truly amazing and I don't think that people truly appreciate all you do in their lives. I wish you the best as you continue to impart more knowledge than ever to our future.