To my high school teachers,

I just want to take this a moment to express my complete and unadulterated appreciation for all of the time and work you've dedicated to me personally. During my time in school, I may have come off unappreciative and uncaring of all the times you went above and beyond for your classes, but, in retrospect, I wish I would've shown you the appreciation you deserve.

Teaching is one of the most thankless and uncelebrated professions in modern America, which is a damn shame because it is the tireless work, often long after the school day ends, that teachers unfailingly complete that helps shape many great people and transforms them into grateful and successful citizens later on.

Being in college now, it is very rare to find professors who take vested interests in their students or go above and beyond to help with our problems, personal or academic. I find myself thinking of times when teachers would keep me after class just to chat, check up on how I'm doing, or help resolve a small problem before it became a bigger issue.

I think of the times when my classmates would complain about how bad a teacher was or how unfair they were just because they were dedicated to improving our lives and helping us to help ourselves. And I wish I had then been a bigger advocate for teachers because only now do I realize I wouldn't be the student I am today, I wouldn't be the person I am today if not for my teachers being so gracious and hard-working each and every day.

Something I pride myself on (and really appreciate from other people) is honesty, openness and being able to accept constructive criticism as a positive. I fully believe that these qualities were instilled in me by my teachers, who not only have to have all of these qualities, even in the face of being attacked by rude students or protective parents, but also expect it from students to create a constructive classroom environment. I cannot say enough about the positivity and care that my teachers showed to every one of their students.

My work ethic is also a direct result of my teachers. Many of my teachers are people I look up to and have indescribably influenced my life and as such, I felt the need to continuously work hard to impress them and show that they care and attention they showed me was not wasted. As a result, I've developed a Protestant work ethic (shout out to Mrs. Fry for teaching me that one) and a desire to succeed so that the work that so many put into me will not be wasted.

In conclusion, I just want to honestly thank all of my teachers for all of the hard work that went unnoticed by so many. That work was not in vain as myself, and many students like me, know that you all went above and beyond the basic duty required by a teacher and personally invested yourselves to our success. I cannot tell you all how grateful I am to have so many role models play such an important role in my life. Your dedication to shaping successful young adults is amazing and there is absolutely no way I would be where I am today if not for all of you!

Don Gray, Carrie Knudsen, Alesa Rehmann, Tracy Dobson, Nancy Truesdale, Chris Harris, Robin Fry, Mary Joe Fry and many others: Seriously, thank you all so much for all that you've done for me and hopefully this small token of my appreciation puts a smile on your faces.