Thank you.

Thank you for being passionate about what you teach your students. Even on those early Monday mornings, when you knew that everyone was having a hard time waking up and even you probably wished you were still asleep, thank you for showing up. Thank you for instilling in me the passion for my own education. You taught me the curriculum, but you have taught me so much more. You showed me how to apply every lesson you taught to my everyday life. You taught me, daily, that there is always something new to be discovered.

Thank you for understanding. When life would be out of control and the workload would be overwhelming, thank you for taking the time to ask me how I was handling everything. Thank you for working with me.

Thank you for pushing me to strive for my full potential. You always pushed me to be the best that I can be, but you never left me hanging over the edge. Thank you for taking the time to show me the areas that I could improve in. Thank you for showing me that I am capable of more than I ever imagined.

Thank you for being transparent with your students and being real. For admitting when you made a mistake, even though they were few and far between. Thank you for sharing your life, your triumphs, struggles, and faith with your classes. Thank you for always having an open door in your office and in your heart.

Thank you for letting me escape for a few minutes in your office and vent about the struggles in my personal life and within my education, sometimes on a weekly basis. You never turned me away, even though I know you had a long list of things to get accomplished. Thank you for making time to listen to me.

Thank you for encouraging me. You will never know how much courage you have given me to face the future with a brave heart. Thank you for telling me that I am enough, no matter what circumstances I have faced. You have reminded me that a closed door is simply an opportunity to find a better way. Thank you for giving some of the best words of advice that I have ever received:
"If God opens a door, walk through it, but if God closes a door, stop trying to pry it open!" These are words I have tried to live by and will always remember.

Whether you realize it or not, you have impacted more than just my education. You have changed my outlook on life and changed me for the better. College is a time that allows students to grow into who they will one day become. Because I know you're not told enough, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Thank you for helping make me who I hope to one day be.