I believe that every teacher we have affects us in one way or another. They have the ability to change our lives in the way they approach learning, and I have certainly been changed by every teacher I have had. My mother is a teacher, so while growing up I didn't think much about the process of learning. It was just an everyday thing. But the older I get, the more I realize how much my teachers have done for me. While I can say that the majority of my teachers were absolutely wonderful, there is one in particular that I won't ever be able to fully explain the joy she has brought to my life. This is my attempt at thanking her for everything she's done for me and countless other students.

Mrs. Hendrickson,

When I met you in tenth grade, I was honestly terrified. You told us about the year and all the things that were expected of us, and I just knew I wasn't going to enjoy your class. If we're being honest, my mindset in high school was to "get by." I never planned to really push myself, but you did. You knew exactly what we were capable of and made sure that we knew as well. I wasn't sure I liked that, but now I don't know what I would be without your pushing me to try harder.

You were so open with us about everything. That's what made you different. You talked about your trials and hardships and let us know we weren't alone in self-doubt or fear. High school is hard, and when I met you I didn't know who I was, much less what I wanted to be. You let all of us know that we didn't have to decide who we were yet, that we still had time. I needed the reassurance that I had that time. My life in tenth grade felt as if it was falling apart, but you showed me that I wasn't the only person who felt that way.

Not only did you force me to learn, but you made me love learning. I cannot explain the confusion that strikes people when I tell them I love to analyze literature. That is all because of you. I've never met anyone who can compare Harry Potter to any life experience as well as you can, but I've also never met anyone who loves The Rock like you do. You shared your life with us, both good and bad, and that meant the world to me.

I then had to go an entire year without you and didn't know how I would do it. Junior year was just as hard as sophomore year, but I didn't have your constant support in class every day. I missed you. When junior year started to wind down, a rumor started floating around that you would be our AP Literature teacher for senior year. I didn't want to get my hopes up, so I constantly ignored others when they talked about it, but oh, the joy I felt when hearing that you would actually be my teacher again.

What a difference you made in my life through that year. You challenged me to find the passion within me that I was unaware of. I was scared to try, because what if I failed, or people saw my struggle? You inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and put my life on paper. You helped me compare my own life to those of the characters in novels that I would have never read if it weren't for you. You changed me. I didn't want to leave high school, because I didn't want to leave you.

I was scared that college would be too much for me to handle, and at times it was. You not only support my education, but my personal life. When I struggled with self-image and could barely tolerate myself, you let me know that you loved me. I needed that more than you can imagine. There are pieces of my life that I have hidden from everyone, but somehow I still fell as if you are aware of them.

There were times that I didn't want to be me anymore. I didn't want to be in college, or learn anymore. I wanted to lay in my bed all day and slowly deteriorate into no one. I didn't want any attention, but I wanted people to know my pain. You somehow managed to do that. You encouraged me to pick myself up and put myself back together. Thank you. Without your love with an undertone of concern, I don't know where I would be today. Thank you for not only being my teacher, but being my friend. I couldn't do life without you.

Emma Kate