I've always been the one kid who was the teacher’s pet, or the one who enjoyed adult company over kids their own age. I love being close to my teachers because I truly believe they help mold you into who you will become. You spend more time with them during a school year then you probably do with your own parents. Why not make the best of it?

To my middle school teachers:

Thank you for putting up with that awkward stage I went through. Good news is that I think I'm finally growing out of it! Thank you for giving back the effort I was putting forth. This was the hardest year for me because of my transition from private to public schools. Thank you for listening and helping me then and sometimes even now. Thank you for never failing to remind me of my worth and for helping me keep my sanity. Thank you for helping me fight off the mean girls. Thank you for telling me that in just another year their friendship would be meaningless. Thank you for helping me have a relaxed and fun year before I entered high school. Thank you for welcoming me with loving arms. I swear some of the funniest memories I have is from my eighth-grade year. Thank you for reminding me who I was and who I could be even when I tried to change myself.

To my high school teachers:

I guess I'll just start out with I'm sorry. I don't think anybody really wants to talk about his or her freshman year. My ninth grade English teacher was the biggest pain in my butt, yet I knew she would do anything for me even now. Thanks for giving me that detention by the way. It was my first and my last. PSA: I never forgot another reading counts book. Thank you for sending me on a journey to find myself when I was looking in the wrong places. Thank you to that one teacher who took my attitude, but always greeted me with a smile. Thank you for being the teacher I couldn't wait to see every single day. I have more respect for you than you will ever know. Thank you to all the teachers who have pushed me to my breaking point just to make me realize that I am stronger than I know and I can keep going. Thank you to the teachers who gave me a C until I decided to work my butt off for an A. Thank you to my AP teachers who pushed and pushed until I thought there was nothing left, just to uncover there was even more. Thank you for not only the school lessons but also the life. High school goes by so fast, and it breaks my heart to know that one day when I'm 30 years old and I run into you at the grocery store, you probably won't even remember my name. I will always remember you because you've done above and beyond what your job requires you to do.

To my choir teachers:

You have loved me at my best and you have loved me at my worst. What bond is stronger than the bond of music? Thank you for helping me fall in and also out of love with music. Thank you for helping me realize that getting the "big part" doesn't define who I am or what my talent is. I don't think I could every physically thank all three of you enough. To my middle school choir teacher, I was your first teaching class and just as you won't forget me, I promise I will never forget the mark you have left on my heart. To my freshman choir teacher, thank you for teaching me so much more than just music. Thank you for putting life and love into the music. Thank you for being the only reason I wanted to continue to the next day. You are my role model and I will forever adore you for all you've done and all you will do.

To my cosmetology teacher:

Thank you for teaching me to love something I never thought I would. Whoever said beauty school was for stupid people, evidently was the stupid one. Thank you for taking your personal time to help me achieve what I thought I would never get. Thank you for welcoming me into this class with love. Thank you for giving me every single opportunity to show off and be the best I can be. Thank you for being my mom when I get sick in class. Thank you for always having my back. Thank you for putting yourself last and keeping my best interest at heart. I've grown to love you more than you know.

To my tech counselors:

I couldn't thank you enough for all the smiles and laughs you've brought me this year. Thank you both for helping me cope with the loss of my Nana. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes it's okay to not be okay. Thank you for letting me into your lives and into your world. Thank you for letting me "get out" just to play with your hair, or for looking at videos of your dogs. Thank you for getting it in my head that I'm only 16 and that I'm not supposed to know about my future. Thank you for reminding me to cherish these special moments. Thank you for always smiling at me. I wish you both could see yourselves as high and worthy as I see you.

In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take. What's wrong with having a relationship with adults? Who made that a bad thing? I used to want to be a teacher. Why? Because I wanted to impact students like my teachers who went the extra mile impacted me. You should just try it. I promise it might change your life.