"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry." -Robert Burns

Dear Class of 2021,

When we first met, we were complete strangers in very different places than we are now. I will always remember the worried look on your faces during "Meet and Greet." I could tell that you were all nervous about having a new teacher that you knew nothing about. Even though you were nervous, you did your best to hide the apprehension below the surface as you introduced yourselves. As the year continued, I was able to see you grow into incredible young men and women. This growth was shown not only through your behavior toward one another but also through your reaction to the challenges I presented you with. We worked hard, and we also played hard. You know how much I adored each one of you and always will.

But, here are a few things that you don't know.

You probably don't know that I spent a solid month preparing for your class. I spent hours with my trusted Harvard University mug slaving away at my computer with bullets of sweat running down my face and into my eyes as my fingers bled over the keyboard from typing out countless lesson plans that were brilliant. Alright... so you know me better than that. I love the dramatics. However, I did spend hours planning and researching to prepare for you. There was no blood, and there was no sweat in the process of developing said lesson plans. It is also a high probability that my Harvard mug is actually a "I no longer skinny dip; I chunky dunk" mug. Nevertheless, I had planned out the mythical perfect year for us, but you ruined it.

You entered my classroom, and you were not ready to start where I had planned for us to start. I had to throw out my plans. I had to go to my corner, rock silently, sob and reevaluate. On day one, you ruined everything.

It was the best thing that could have happened for us. You gave me the opportunity to get away from what I thought the "perfect" teacher was. The freedom you gave me allowed me to simply be me. Since I had to plan as we went, I crafted interactive, fun and engaging ways to tackle the lessons with your help. Because you ruined everything I had planned, your class gave me an opportunity to reach a level of teaching I never though possible. You taught me.

Now I am about to tell you something that no one really knows. A 2003 study conducted by Richard Ingersoll reported that 40 to 50 percent of new teachers left the field within five years. I was going to be part of that statistic.

You heard me right. Before you, I was highly considering quitting teaching and going into another profession. You almost didn't have a Miss Miller for seventh grade. Before you, I couldn't find my niche. I couldn't figure out why in the world I had picked teaching in the first place. I loved student teaching in college, but I hated my current job. It was actually very depressing for me. I felt very lost and out of place. Literally the only thing I enjoyed about teaching was the relationship built with the students. In my previous position, I never got the chance to really know my students. I was miserable in my career. Thankfully, I got offered a new position and grade level, so I decided to give it one more year before I left. I was nervous and very apprehensive for another year of torture.

Then I met you. After you had ruined everything I planned, I knew this year would be different, but I didn't know how different.

I didn't know that you would save me. I didn't know that you would change much of what I thought about education. I didn't know you would change my entire teaching philosophy. I didn't know the amount of joy you would bring into my life. I didn't know the amount of love you would bring into my life. I also had no idea how much frustration, anxiety and worry you would add to my life because I cared about you so much. I worried about you when I could tell something was bothering you. I didn't know how often I would be asking God to help you and to watch over each one of you everyday. I didn't know that I would catch myself referring to your class as "my kids." I didn't know how much love my heart could actually feel. You helped me rekindle my passion for teaching. You have no idea how much that means. You gave me purpose.

As I set up my classroom for this new year, I could still hear all of the laughter shared last year. I could sense the excitement to teach you gave me coming back. I could still feel the love shared when you would come and hangout with me instead of going to lunch or recess. I could see your winning baskets, touchdowns, turnovers, volleys and all the other successes we shared. I could also remember your failures, and how much you learned to accept that a failure is just a starting point to become better. I remembered every memory you blessed me with just by being you. Then, I remembered that I wouldn't be teaching you this year. My class will be filled with awesome, new faces, and I absolutely cannot wait to get to know them, but they won't be the faces of "my kids." It is a sobering realization.

I will miss you so much this year, but I know that you have to move on and so do I. I know that you are all going to give the eighth grade teachers a run for their money. I also know that you are going to grow into the most incredible adults in a few short years. I cannot wait to see you take the world by storm and be the leaders I already know you are. Know that I am so unbelievably proud of you, and I am always here should you need anything. You know where my room is. I expect frequent visits.

Seriously though, you better visit.

Finally, I want to say thank you. Thank you for changing my life. Teachers say you never forget your first class. I can surely say I will never forget my first middle school class. Class of 2021, you will always be in my heart. Go get them!

Love,

Miss Miller

P.S. Always remember the best laid plans are sometimes meant to go awry.